TY - JOUR T1 - The HIV-positive dentist: balancing the rights of the health care worker and the patient JF - Canadian Medical Association Journal JO - CMAJ SP - 1715 LP - 1718 VL - 164 IS - 12 AU - Michael A. Gardam AU - William F. Flanagan AU - Irving E. Salit Y1 - 2001/06/12 UR - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/164/12/1715.abstract N2 - WE DESCRIBE A HYPOTHETICAL CASE OF AN HIV-POSITIVE DENTIST without cognitive impairment who uses proper infection control procedures. The dentist's physician notifies the medical officer of health without the dentist's consent. Although HIV-positive health care workers, including dentists, have been identified in the past, proven HIV transmission to patients is very rare. Most authorities recommend that an HIV-positive health care worker be monitored by an expert panel, which could then, if necessary, refer to the regulatory body to revoke or restrict the person's licence to practice. Mandatory HIV testing is not required for health care workers because they generally do not pose a risk for infecting their patients; they are, however, ethically and legally obligated to report their HIV status to their profession's regulatory body. ER -