HIV in workplace

[egots]

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I began wondering what if a person gets HIV and they want to become a dentist, or is a practicing dentist and contracts the disease, besides the obvious ethical debate, is it legal? Would they have to tell their patients? If its a perspective student do schools have a right to know of this information? Just curious Ive seen people discuss a lot of how patients can be HIV positive as I have been witness to this working in an office in an urban area, but never thought of the situation the other way around.

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

I began wondering what if a person gets HIV and they want to become a dentist, or is a practicing dentist and contracts the disease, besides the obvious ethical debate, is it legal? Would they have to tell their patients? If its a perspective student do schools have a right to know of this information? Just curious Ive seen people discuss a lot of how patients can be HIV positive as I have been witness to this working in an office in an urban area, but never thought of the situation the other way around.

Hello,

I really do not know the answer but a quick call to ADA will give you the information. DP

 

[SuperC]

After being accepted to DS you have to fill out medical history forms, where you have to disclose any diseases that you have. Here is what the form says.

Disclosure of Infectious Disease Status: The College of Dentistry requires all students who suspect or know themselves to be positive for certain infectious disease to disclose that information to the Senior Associate Dean For Clinical Affairs and Operations upon admission to the college or when first suspected or confirmed. The infectious diseases to be reported include, but are not limited to, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted diseases with the exception of HIV disease. While
Florida Statues 760.37 and 760.50 prohibit “interference, coercion, intimidation or discrimination” on the basis of HIV seropositivity, CDC guidelines state that HIV or HBV positive dentists should seek counsel from an expert panel. Therefore, in compliance with the guidelines, students who are HIV antibody positive are encouraged to reveal their seropositive status and seek counseling. Information maintained on the health status of each individual is strictly confidential.

-C

 

[Kinski]

After being accepted to DS you have to fill out medical history forms, where you have to disclose any diseases that you have. Here is what the form says.

Disclosure of Infectious Disease Status: The College of Dentistry requires all students who suspect or know themselves to be positive for certain infectious disease to disclose that information to the Senior Associate Dean For Clinical Affairs and Operations upon admission to the college or when first suspected or confirmed. The infectious diseases to be reported include, but are not limited to, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted diseases with the exception of HIV disease. While
Florida Statues 760.37 and 760.50 prohibit “interference, coercion, intimidation or discrimination” on the basis of HIV seropositivity, CDC guidelines state that HIV or HBV positive dentists should seek counsel from an expert panel. Therefore, in compliance with the guidelines, students who are HIV antibody positive are encouraged to reveal their seropositive status and seek counseling. Information maintained on the health status of each individual is strictly confidential.

-C

They are encouraged to do so but not required. It is illegal.