In order to improve educational programmes directed at health care workers we investigated their knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to HIV/AIDS. An anonymous self-administered questionnaires was distributed to 609 health care workers. Of these, 59.6% agreed to participate (42.4% of the medical doctors, 74.3% of the nurses and 79.6% of the laboratory technicians, health visitors and other health care workers). All studied groups believed that their knowledge of HIV modes of transmission (84.3%) was sufficient. In contrast, a relatively small percentage reported knowledge of the clinical spectrum of HIV infection (48.8%) and the diagnostic assays (57.6%). Nearly all the study participants believe (92.8%) that there is a risk of acquiring HIV infection during the hospitalization of HIV/AIDS patients. Obligatory screening of all patients was reported by nearly all participants (90.6%) as a chance to minimize their occupational risk. Although health care workers reported satisfactory knowledge of safety measures (87.0%), only 56.7% used gloves and 38.8% accept the hospitalization of HIV/AIDS patients. In spite of the educational programmes for AIDS in Greece, this study demonstrates that health professionals' knowledge and precautionary measures are not sufficient. As a result, a small percentage of them treat AIDS patients without discrimination. There is an urgent need to implement specific educational programmes for health professionals so that they will safely provide high quality care to people affected by HIV/AIDS.

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas are a recognised complication of AIDS and may involve the oral cavity. However, no case of Hodgkin's disease affecting the oral cavity in AIDS appears to have been recorded. We report a male homosexual with AIDS and Hodgkin's lymphoma, who presented with gingival involvement.

The effects of different postcuring methods on the wear resistance of three different composite materials was evaluated using a clinically correlated in vitro test. While postcuring did not significantly affect the wear resistance of the occlusal contact surfaces in two of the materials tested, wear decreased significantly in the third material after heat postcuring. The effects of postcuring on wear resistance seem to be of a complex nature. Thus it is recommended not to use postcuring techniques indiscriminately.