A dentist has been diagnosed with HIV. What standard must they follow to continue practicing?

Correct answer: A. Follow standard precautions and universal infection control protocols

• A. Correct. An HIV-positive dentist (or any infectious disease) must follow STANDARD (UNIVERSAL) PRECAUTIONS — the same rigorous infection control every healthcare provider should use with every patient. As long as standard precautions are followed, an HIV-positive dentist can continue to practice. The CDC guidelines state that HIV-positive healthcare workers who follow standard precautions pose negligible risk to patients.
• B. Disclosure to patients is not universally mandated — this depends on jurisdiction and whether the dentist performs exposure-prone procedures.
• C. Double gloves beyond standard practice are not mandated by guidelines for HIV-positive providers.
• D. HIV-positive healthcare workers are not automatically required to stop practicing — they can continue if following standard precautions and not performing exposure-prone procedures without appropriate safeguards.