§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what specific guidance has been given to dentists treating patients suffering from acquired immune deficiency syndrome; and what steps are being taken to ensure that acquired immune deficiency syndrome sufferers are not being denied treatment.
§ Mr. HayhoePatients known to be suffering from acquired immune deficiency syndrome will normally be referred to the hospital dental service for dental treatment. My Department is not aware of any case where such patients have been denied treatment. Dentists were provided with the report of the expert group on hepatitis in dentistry (1979 HMSO) and I am advised that the precautions recommended in that report in respect of the treatment of all patients would be effective in controlling cross infection from the AIDS virus.
The Department will shortly be issuing guidance to all dentists on the treatment of patients who are HTLV III antibody positive.