Sir, the executive of the Gay & Lesbian Association of Doctors and Dentists (GLADD) welcomed the editorial Losing your livelihood (BDJ 2006; 201: 485) as we are aware of several members, dental and medical, who have faced significant hardship and stigmatisation after disclosing their HIV status. Our recent survey of organisations highlighted the lack of guidance and support mechanisms for HIV positive healthcare professionals. The Department of Health guidance (July 2005) explicitly states that organisations should make reasonable attempts to provide alternate employment avoiding exposure prone procedures, but this has not been implemented universally. The list of exposure prone procedures established by UKAP for dentistry remains substantial and as independent contractors dentists are especially vulnerable following diagnosis, with no real alternate career paths available.
We would support the calls of UKAP to review the evidence base again and we would call on the GDC and BDA to work together to provide a resource which advises HIV positive dentists on career options and the support available to them. The GLADD executive welcomes open discussion and informed debate about these issues which can affect any dentist, regardless of their sexual orientation.
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Walsh, J., Lacey, O. & Saunders, D. Welcoming discussion. Br Dent J 202, 3 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/bdj.2006.112
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bdj.2006.112
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