Introduction Oral health care of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a growing area of concern. Information on HIV and AIDS related knowledge among dental students provides a crucial foundation for efforts aimed at developing an appropriate dental curriculum on HIV and AIDS. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of Indian clinical dental students towards the treatment of patients with HIV/AIDS and perceived sources of information regarding HIV-related issues.

Methods Data were collected from clinical dental students (third year, fourth year and internship) from four dental colleges in Mangalore city. The questions assessed the knowledge and attitude towards treatment of patients with HIV and the perceived source of information related to HIV/AIDS.

Results The willingness to treat HIV-positive patients among dental students was 67.0%, and 74.20% were confident of treating a patient with HIV/AIDS. The potential problems in rendering treatment to these patients were effect on the attitude of other patients (49.90%) and staff fears (52.50%). The correct knowledge regarding the infection-control practice (barrier technique) was found among only 15.50% of respondents. The respondents had sufficient knowledge regarding the oral manifestations of HIV/AIDS.

Conclusions No correlation was found between the knowledge and attitude score, demonstrating a gap between knowledge and attitude among the dental students regarding treatment of HIV-infected patients. Appropriate information has to be delivered through the dental education curriculum, which can instil confidence in students about their ability to manage HIV-positive patients.