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 »

Colorado: Dentist's Office Gives, Brings Smiles to Patients Living With HIV/AIDS

The Howard Dental Center (HDC) on Capitol Hill in Denver has been serving the dental needs of people with HIV/AIDS since 1994. Its name honors Dr. John Howard, a dentist who treated seropositive patients before his 1988 death from AIDS at age 55.... Read more »

New York: Dental Clinic Specializes in HIV/AIDS Patients, Cuts Out Fear of Seeing Dentist

Last fall, the nonprofit group Housing Works opened a full-service health clinic in Brooklyn exclusively for women with HIV/AIDS. A dental clinic housed in the facility, located at 57 Willoughby St., also accepts male patients. Many of the people... 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 »

My Dentist turned me away

I recently went to a local denist to have by teeth cleaned and to discuss further work needed. I specifically talked to the dentist and told her about by HIV status. She assured me that there would be no problems treating me. I went for my last...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,I don't know where you are writing from, but apparently HIV/AIDS discrimination is still alive and flourishing there. The comment that the dental office was "not equipped for patients like you" shows not only disgusting... Read more »

dentist from india...please ,please answer

hai dr ,iam proud of you because you are doing a brilliant work here...here is my problem...3 years back ie on 16 th nov 2007 i had aneedle stick exposure while treating apatient with a suspicious oral(gum)lesionANUG(acute necrotising ulcerative...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,1. Definitive and conclusive. You are HIV negative.2. No.3. I have absolutely no idea what you will do in your future life. I'm not a fortune teller!4. There is no reason from an HIV standpoint that you should not get married. However, I... Read more »

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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 »

Partner refuses to accept my status

Posted by mato96, 3 Replies

I tested positive for hiv three weeks ago on elisa, this is after I tested negative on the rapid test a week before. My partner tested ngative in both rapid and elisa tests. I have done two elisa tests to confirm because he refuses to accept my... 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 »

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