Can A Dentist Refuse To Treat Someone With Hiv

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

Articles

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

California: Some Dentists Refuse to Serve People With HIV

A new study finds that 5 percent of dental offices in Los Angeles County have a blanket ban on serving people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). English- and Spanish-speaking people trained as "testers" called 612 dental offices during 2007-08, posing as... Read more »

Health Workers Cannot Refuse to Provide Treatment to HIV-Positive People, India's Supreme Court Rules

A panel of India's Supreme Court on Wednesday approved instructions from the country's Centre Party that health care workers in all government and private hospitals cannot refuse medical treatment to people living with HIV/AIDS, The Hindu ... Read more »

Wisconsin Advocacy Group Files Lawsuit Against Medical Clinic for Allegedly Refusing to Perform Surgery on HIV-Positive Woman

AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin on Thursday filed a civil lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee against a Fond du Lac, Wis., medical clinic for allegedly refusing to perform surgery on an HIV-positive woman, the AP/ Chicago Tribune ... Read more »

Ask the Experts

Tell my new dentist I'm HIV+ ? (DISCLOSURE TO DENTIST)

I'm going to be going to a dentist in a couple of weeks. I'll be a new patient. I'll be having just a checkup and a cleaning. I'm wondering if it is necessary, or perhaps even required,that I inform the dentist that I am HIV+...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,You are correct: all health care professionals use "universal precautions" to prevent the transmission of bloodborne disease to patients and vice versa. Personally, I would recommend disclosing your status to your dentist. This is... Read more »

Any recourse if a dentist discriminates?

I went to a new dentist and thought I should mention that I was HIV-positive. My appointment was at 10 am and I am on Medicaid. Anyway, when I told the dentist he left the room and then I saw people peeking into the room looking at me. A dental...

Response from Nancy Breuer

WorkPositive, Inc.

Dental offices are covered as "public accommodations" under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are not allowed to discriminate on the basis of disability. (HIV and AIDS are "disabilities" within the meaning of the... Read more »

Dentists specializing in HIV patients

Newly infected in Phoenix, AZ and am unable to find a dentist to treat me. Can you help. ...

Response from Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D.

Rocky Mountain CARES

Hello and thanks for your post.I'm certain that you'll be able to fine a good dentist in Phoenix. While I don't know of anyone there by name, I'd suggest that you ask your HIV specialist or AIDS Service Organization for their... Read more »

Dentist working with HIV+ patients

Hello Dr. Bob! I am a senior dental student and I have recently volunteered to treat HIV+ patients and patients with AIDS at the medically complex dental care clinic in my dental school. As far as I have seen so far, we have not been instructed to...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,I agree with almost everything in your post. For instance, (1) no "extra" precautions are warranted or necessary when treating HIV-positive dental patients and (2) no "extra" sterilization procedures are warranted or... Read more »

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Connect With Others

My doctor is refusing to treat my HIV until I sign

Posted by Garth, 2 Replies

Hello world,
As a newly diagnosed HIV gay man, living in Edmonton Alberta, ( diagnosed 1 year now) I am facing what I beleive to be discrimination and bullying by my doctor. My counts when first diagnosed were CD4 500 and viral load 16,000. Over... Read more »

Do I have to tell my dentist?

Posted by dj1979, 7 Replies

I think I already know the answer to this, but am I obligated to reveal my status to my dentist? I am going for an extraction on Thursday. Since this is a small town, I am still really uncomfortable telling anyone. I know he is bound by law not... Read more »

HIV Positive dentist

Posted by doglove, 5 Replies

I have been studying towards a career in the health professions. Just recently I have decided to go for a dental career. I am seriously reconsidering this as people might stop coming to me if they find out I am positive. It's a lot of money to... Read more »

refusing meds

Posted by Anonymous, 7 Replies

has anyone here ever refused being put on meds. what was your reason? have you changed your mind since? why do people refuse to be put on meds..because of the side effects? do they believe that HIV meds cant make a differnce, or is more of "if i... Read more »

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