Determinants of AIDS preventive behaviour among dental professionals.

: This study was conducted to assess concerns regarding AIDS and to identify determinants of poor preventive behaviour among dentists. Questionnaires were distributed to a random sample of 342 professionals. Respondents showed the lowest knowledge scores on topics dealing with symptoms, epidemiology and AIDS control. The predictors of poor AIDS knowledge were: more than ten years of practice and a strong belief to be professionally susceptible to HIV infection. Sterilization of high speed drills was disappointing; only 14.2% of dentists reported using heat sterilization. Predictors of poor preventive behaviour were: poor ability in clinical AIDS identification, more than ten years of practice and poor knowledge of AIDS prevention and control. Dental burs were the major cause of occupational injury. Professionals who recap needles are three times more likely to sustain needlesticks than those who do not. Our results suggest the need to increase AIDS knowledge and to improve compliance to infection control measures among dentists.