Actitud de los estudiantes en tres facultades de odontología en Santiago de Cali, Colombia, frente a pacientes con VIH

objective: to know attitude of students at three dental schools in santiago de cali, colombia, toward hiv+ patients. methods: this is a cross-sectional study with using a questionnaire to 1173 invited to attend students from three dental schools in cali. students were classified in three groups (pre-clinic: semester i-iv; initial clinic: v to vii and last clinical: viii to x). results: participation rate was 63.4%. 50% under 20 years old, 68% female, 92% single, and 82% catholics. between 86% and 92% had positive attitudes; when asked about their willingness to care patients being more favorable preclinical students (p=0.03). although, 88.7% of all students showed a willingness to address hiv patients. among those who believed that it would be difficult for assistant staff to accept treating such patients there was a 33% chance of doing so (p=0.003). when we asked about training to manage, between 67% (clinical) and 82% (preclinical) perceive not receiving any. conclusions: the intention to dental care was similar to that reported in the other american countries, and ireland. dental students need better training, because they do not perceived adequate training, to reduce their fear and increase positive attitudes to care for hiv/aids patients.