Need good EC but scared of AIDS - should I volunteer in TWC?

[adizzle87]

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My mentor has offered me the grand opportunity to go with him to a third world country to volunteer as his assistant. It's only going to be a 2-day trip but this is a country where AIDS is known to be prevalent.

I love the guy, and seriously this opportunity is sure to be a resume booster but because of the prevalence of AIDS, I am really scared to go. I volunteer at my county free clinics all the time and am OSHA and CPR certified. I know all about the safety precautions to avoid AIDS because of all the clinic experience I have but because after all you are suppose to assume that all the body fluids you come into contact with has it and treat it accordingly.


My concern is the prevalence of it. Its one thing to be careful in the US but even being careful in a third world country, things can go wrong. I'm thinking about:
- manning up and just getting myself some long sleeve clothing along with regular scrubs
- making sure theres a bucket of sanitizing liquid to drench my gloves in before removing them
- using the "all-in-one" face protector (plastic sheet + mask combined)
- having hand sanitizer in handy
- washing hands at least twice between patients

I know some people are probably thinking "AIDS are always a possibility and if you are scared you shouldn't practice dentistry." My defense to that is that its one thing to practice safe handling of dental procedures in a modernized nation (where prevalence is low) vs a 3rd world country (where prevalence is high).

Most of it is going to be fillings and extractions. Please, I'd like some thoughts. BCP GPA is 2.95 and overall is about 3.08. Haven't taken DAT. Please, if anyone has any input on this topic, whether it be because you yourself have been on a similar trip or just have some general advice, please let me know. Facilities have chairs and all that stuff (as good as a rundown county clinic), but would love to hear your feedback. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

 

[sajjy]

If i am not mistaken then AIDS can be transmitted only by three ways:
1) Unprotected sex or having multiple partners
2) from mother to fetus or child during prenatal period
3) Sharing and reusing syringes contaminated with HIV-infected blood

So, you wont be having sex in a 2 day trip there, and wont be pregnant either.....just be careful with the syringes...its a great opportunity to have

 

[Regmata]

If i am not mistaken then AIDS can be transmitted only by three ways:
1) Unprotected sex or having multiple partners
2) from mother to fetus or child during prenatal period
3) Sharing and reusing syringes contaminated with HIV-infected blood

So, you wont be having sex in a 2 day trip there, and wont be pregnant either.....just be careful with the syringes...its a great opportunity to have

While you are mistaken, but thats ok...


I assume you will be wearing the appropriate protective clothing throughout all procedures. If so, there is very little risk of transmission b/w you and a patient, if any. You will end up treating patients with infectious diseases throughout your career, might want to get used to it now.

 

[QuackDentist]

I just took an OSHA course and they said that the HIV virus, the virus that causes AIDS, only lives outside of the human body for 16 seconds to one minute. It is a very weak virus by itself.

I hope this eases some of your worries.

 

[airsimon]

Like Regmata says... in the "real world" of dentistry... even in the United States you're going to be treating people with AIDS, HIV, HEPATITIS, SIFILIS, TUBERCULOSIS, etc all the time. And while your in dental school? Even more... homeless people are famous for TB and they tend to be the people who come into dental clinics.

Use universal precautions, and don't needle stick yourself... then you have to go through so much testing and the anxiety is enough to kill you.

 

[KinKs]

your GPA needs all the help it can get​

 

[Crentist]

I was actually asked in one of my interviews what I would do if a patient came in to receive dental care who had AIDS or I suspected (from their symptoms) had AIDS. You should be treating every patient with the necessary precautions to protect yourself against any disease you might come in contact with, so that you wouldn't treat this patient any differently than any other patient.

I'd say do this trip if you have the chance. It'll probably change your life.

 

[Istr8nthem]

If i am not mistaken then AIDS can be transmitted only by three ways:
1) Unprotected sex or having multiple partners
2) from mother to fetus or child during prenatal period
3) Sharing and reusing syringes contaminated with HIV-infected blood

So, you wont be having sex in a 2 day trip there, and wont be pregnant either.....just be careful with the syringes...its a great opportunity to have

There is absolutely no reason to be worried about contracting HIV/AIDS while performing dentistry in this type of situation. While there have been cases of communicable diseases being spread via needle stick and splashing to the eyes, there is an extremely low chance of this occurring (<.5%).

"The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that of the some 800,000 injuries each year, only about 2 percent (approximately 16,000) involve needles that are likely to be contaminated with HIV. Of those 2 percent of needlestick injuries where HIV-infected blood is known to be present, the chance of HIV transmission is estimated to be between 0.3 and 0.45 percent."

Hope this makes you feel better about your situation.

 

[Nomar]

I would go if I were you. I went to Vanuatu with a dentist in November. It was awesome but all I had to worry about was malaria.

 

[aphistis]

I work at two facilities: one is a VA hospital and the other is a public county hospital. I get a ton of patients with diagnosed infectious disease, and I'm certain I've had plenty more with undiagnosed. Like other posters have said, it's something you're going to have to get accustomed to if you want to be a dentist, and as long as you take your universal precautions seriously and employ them in earnest on every patient you treat, you'll be fine. I'd strongly encourage you to go. Overseas mission trips are wonderful experiences, from both clinical and humanitarian perspectives, and they can really change your entire outlook on life and the amazing good luck we all had to be born when & where we were.

 

[adizzle87]

Thank you everyone for your input. You all have brought up valid points about how sometimes as a dentist one regularly treats the underserved along with those unaware of their own illnesses. I've thought about it very much and me citing AIDS for not going is sort of like a new firefighter afraid of getting near a burning house. Thank you everyone for your input and I will update you guys on how everything goes if my schedule next quarter allows me to get in on the trip. Again, thank you everybody.

 

[Crentist]

Thank you everyone for your input. You all have brought up valid points about how sometimes as a dentist one regularly treats the undeserved along with those unaware of their own illnesses. I've thought about it very much and me citing AIDS for not going is sort of like a new firefighter afraid of getting near a burning house. Thank you everyone for your input and I will update you guys on how everything goes if my schedule next quarter allows me to get in on the trip. Again, thank you everybody.

I think/hope you mean under-served, and not undeserved...
What a difference that little R makes! 😉

 

[Master Pain]

I stand in agreement w/ above posts....GOOOO! You'll not regret it one bit.
Concentrate, get good sleep, universal precuations, no sharp sticks, and have fun!

side note - you are at higher risk for contracting Hep B,C, etc. than the HIV as it is in higher concentration in blood and is a better survivor outside of the body.