AIDs risk with Dentistry

[Ablecablestable]

I shadowed a dentist recently and I saw that there was a great deal of "splatter" when working on patients.

In some cases, blood droplets flew through the air. What is the chance of contracting a disease like AIDS from this? Especially after being exposed to flying blood 40 hours a week for 30-odd years? What is the level of risk?

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[Masseter]

Virtually no chances from splatter and droplets.

You're not exposed to flying blood 40 hours a week.

Also we've been told that the risk of contracting aids by being stung by a contaminated needle is also very very very low.

Just be careful, treat every patient like he has AIDS. It will be second nature and you won't think about contracting AIDS.

 

[Saddleshoes]

I shadowed a dentist recently and I saw that there was a great deal of "splatter" when working on patients.

In some cases, blood droplets flew through the air. What is the chance of contracting a disease like AIDS from this? Especially after being exposed to flying blood 40 hours a week for 30-odd years? What is the level of risk?

Without going into a lot of boring detail let me tell you this...

I spent 26 years working with a population that was 5.2% HIV positive. That meant I was working with an HIV patient on a daily basis. I am HIV negative and have 20 years of lab test paper work to prove it.

Universal Precautions work!

However, if HIV or Hep B, or Hep C or TB or "fill in the blank" risk bothers you I would suggest another line of work.

 

[Vicviper]

I shadowed a dentist recently and I saw that there was a great deal of "splatter" when working on patients.

In some cases, blood droplets flew through the air. What is the chance of contracting a disease like AIDS from this? Especially after being exposed to flying blood 40 hours a week for 30-odd years? What is the level of risk?

Our faculty tell us that studies have shown that with the use of universal precaution, you're at no higher risk than the general population of getting HIV - and that even with needle sticks, it isn't a sure thing that you're going to get the disease.

 

[saDDS]

Without going into a lot of boring detail let me tell you this...

I spent 26 years working with a population that was 5.2% HIV positive. That meant I was working with an HIV patient on a daily basis. I am HIV negative and have 20 years of lab test paper work to prove it.

Universal Precautions work!

However, if HIV or Hep B, or Hep C or TB or "fill in the blank" risk bothers you I would suggest another line of work.

Do you get tested regularly?

 

[samyred]

Where do I start...

First of all, I am tested negative to all Hep C, B, and HIV thank god.

Never say it only happens to stupid people and it will never happen to you, it will at least once in you career, it is a learning experience.

I had an accident of a needle stick once with a patient in a rural area where I had no access to testing or PEP, the patient was a Navajo mid aged woman. I was injecting in the pulp after curving the needle 90 degree, I left it uncapped and got stuck with it 1mm deep through the glove, washed my hand and tried to make it bleed, it bled very little. Got so freaked out about it and it came out negative eventually.

Second exposure, a Hep C positive patient who just started her pegalyted interferon 6 month protocol. This was a stupid one, I got poked with an explorer that I used to examine her teeth and was only used on occlusal surfaces. I got also very freaked out about it knowing that Hep C has a higher likelihood of infection. I ordered a PCR 2 weeks later and it came out negative.

Third exposure was while I was checking calculus on a patient, I was using a perio explorer that has a long tip, those tend to be very flexible. It sprung back from a calculus click and hit my finger through the glove and poked me, patient had bleeding pockets, tested myself and patient, we were both negative.

Moral of the story, no one is immune, always be careful and never neglect things no matter how simple and low risk they are. I have always used universal protection protocol. But sometimes accidents happen. I became extremely careful after those experiences I had, always added a safety distance to every procedure I do since.
Stay on the safe side!

Even though not proven by studies or scientifically, I believe there should be a PEP for Hep C and it might be as good as the one for HIV. Why can't they give the same 6 month protocol on a duration of one month for exposed health professionals?

 

[ChubbyBaby]

Second exposure, a Hep C positive patient who just started her pegalyted interferon 6 month protocol. This was a stupid one, I got poked with an explorer that I used to examine her teeth and was only used on occlusal surfaces. I got also very freaked out about it knowing that Hep C has a higher likelihood of infection. I ordered a PCR 2 weeks later and it came out negative.

Third exposure was while I was checking calculus on a patient, I was using a perio explorer that has a long tip, those tend to be very flexible. It sprung back from a calculus click and hit my finger through the glove and poked me, patient had bleeding pockets, tested myself and patient, we were both negative.

You got "poked" with an explorer and perio probe? 🙄 This happened to me practically every other day in dental school with scalers. You sound like a drama queen.

 

[ChubbyBaby]

Just be careful, treat every patient like he has AIDS.

Let me point out your subconscious slip so you don't make it in front of somebody whose opinion you care about. Girls get HIV too.

 

[goffdent]

Let me point out your subconscious slip so you don't make it in front of somebody whose opinion you care about. Girls get HIV too.

I don't believe it... what's next??

Next thing you'll be telling me is that girls fart AND number 2....

 

[Pedosmakebank]

Universal Precautions work!

Amen +1000

I'll admit though, I usually double glove...

 

[Masseter]

Let me point out your subconscious slip so you don't make it in front of somebody whose opinion you care about. Girls get HIV too.

eeeeerrrrrr ok... Do I need to say he/she before each words that can be feminine and masculine ? 😕

 

[omaralt]

Amen +1000

I'll admit though, I usually double glove...

Completely pointless. If an instrument is sharp enough to puncture one glove, its going to be sharp enough to puncture two

 

[samyred]

You got "poked" with an explorer and perio probe? 🙄 This happened to me practically every other day in dental school with scalers. You sound like a drama queen.

And you sound like a douch. If I were you I would go and check myself.

 

[aphistis]

Completely pointless. If an instrument is sharp enough to puncture one glove, its going to be sharp enough to puncture two

Not 100% of the time. Additionally, the extra layer of material is one more physical barrier any pathogens have to penetrate, without getting smeared off as they pass, in order to reach the bloodstream. I never double-glove in clinic unless I have some sort of open wound (ugly hangnail, cut on my hand, etc.), but when I do it, I do it for everyone. I also always double-glove when I'm scrubbed in the OR, but that's pretty common.