David Croser, author of an opinion article in the BDJ about the plight of UK dentists in the event that they are diagnosed as HIV positive (BDJ 2006; 201: 497–499) has been conducting research in conjunction with the Council of European Dentists to discover the situation for HIV positive dentists in 32 other European countries.

Although there are still a few countries who have yet to respond, Dr Croser reports that the information to date indicates that the countries of Europe are almost evenly split between those where the dentist is able to work, and the situation that exists in the UK where the dentist must immediately stop working. The lack of an evidence base in this field makes it difficult for a universal science-based decision to be made.

However, some consensus does seem to be emerging. A recent study (MMWR Morbid Mortal Wkly Rep 2009; 57: 1413–1415) supports patient safety and the non-transmissibility of the disease in situations where the clinician has been treated with anti-retrovirals and is monitored to demonstrate an undetectable viral load, and adopts standard infection control protocols. Another study in Switzerland concluded that HIV positive individuals on effective antiretroviral therapy and without sexually transmitted infections are sexually non-infectious (Bull Med Suisses 2008; 89(5): 165–169, available online at http://www.saez.ch/pdf_f/2008/2008-05/2008-05-089.PDF).

The appropriate committees in the UK are currently reviewing the situation over UK health workers. A decision was expected last autumn but is now anticipated in early March. Dr Croser's results to date are available online at http://www.dentalprotection.org.uk/.