Occupational risk of dentist: HIV & others

[hawanalu]

Hi,
Can people tell the risk factor of dentists getting HIV from work? Since throughout a dentist's career there must be cuts/ accidents that have happened from time to time. I have found no records of dentists getting HIV through work, but I am interested in why? As nurses and physicians have gotten HIV through work.

Also, how bad is occupational wear and tear for dentists such as head and shoulder pain, eye diseases, carpal tunnel...

Any information appreciated!!

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[Saddleshoes]

Hi,
Can people tell the risk factor of dentists getting HIV from work? Since throughout a dentist's career there must be cuts/ accidents that have happened from time to time. I have found no records of dentists getting HIV through work, but I am interested in why?

I can address this one....

I worked with a population that was 4.5% HIV positive, over 35% HBV positive and about 10% TB positive for over 20 years. I am still negative and have the lab work to prove it!

The simple answer: Universal Precautions work!!!!

All those nasty diseases in reality are not passed via a simple cut or abrasion. The big way they are passe is with hollow bore instrument "shared" in one way or another. (Read that needle) So following the universal precautions for needle use meticulously should always be in the front of your mind.

 

[Vicviper]

We just had a lecture on this in Intro to Dent last semester, and from what I remember, only something like 4% of needle sticks from an HIV patient would be enough to transmit, but HepC had a higher chance than that. But yeah, universal precautions!

 

[crazy_sherm]

According to this CDC article, the seroconversion rate after a needlestick for HIV is ~0.3% and for HVC is around 1.8%.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2000-108/

Neck/shoulder pain is much more prevalent. Just ask half the faculty at any dental school. Good ergonomics and staying healthy is key.

 

[Vicviper]

Haha, yeah, that must have been what I was thinking of, only off by a decimal place! 🙂

According to this CDC article, the seroconversion rate after a needlestick for HIV is ~0.3% and for HVC is around 1.8%.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2000-108/

Neck/shoulder pain is much more prevalent. Just ask half the faculty at any dental school. Good ergonomics and staying healthy is key.

 

[The Hammer]

There has never been a single dentist infected with HIV or AIDS from an accidental needle stick.

 

[redchesus]

There has never been a single dentist infected with HIV or AIDS from an accidental needle stick.

Sounds like you just made up this fact on the spot (unless you were being sarcastic)... the dentist I'm shadowing told me that happened to one of her classmates in school.

Lesson: Don't poke yourself!

 

[tinman831]

Sounds like you just made up this fact on the spot (unless you were being sarcastic)... the dentist I'm shadowing told me that happened to one of her classmates in school.

Lesson: Don't poke yourself!

A couple of years ago in our oral pathology class, the instructor noted that a dentist has never contracted HIV from needle stick or exposure. However, I don't think dental students are included in that statistic. Did the dentist you shadow actually state that her classmate developed AIDS? I know of a few friends who had needle sticks, and they took the antivirals recommended for about a month. Nothing ever came of that.

 

[The Hammer]

Sounds like you just made up this fact on the spot (unless you were being sarcastic)... the dentist I'm shadowing told me that happened to one of her classmates in school.

Lesson: Don't poke yourself!

Nope, check the CDC if you don't believe me. And you can say "don't poke yourself" all you like and it will still happen.

 

[BiomajorPreDent]

would you be able to provide us with a link to this CDC webpage relating to dentists and needle sticks?

 

[ChubbyBaby]

And you can say "don't poke yourself" all you like and it will still happen.

True.

 

[The Hammer]

would you be able to provide us with a link to this CDC webpage relating to dentists and needle sticks?

This is Avert quoting the same survey that I saw

http://www.avert.org/needlestick.htm

 

[ORLO]

Just read about these risks the other day...I believe my text stated that since 1971, there has only been 1 documented case of a dentist contracting HIV from a patient. On a scary side note, there is a case of a Florida dentist infecting 6 of his patients with HIV. I would look up the sources to these but I have a gross anatomy exam to be studying for...

 

[jay47]

Just read about these risks the other day...I believe my text stated that since 1971, there has only been 1 documented case of a dentist contracting HIV from a patient. On a scary side note, there is a case of a Florida dentist infecting 6 of his patients with HIV. I would look up the sources to these but I have a gross anatomy exam to be studying for...

Our professor said that the dentist practiced for like 20 years HIV+, but after doing genetic analysis of the strains of the 6 infected patients, it was concluded that none of them got the strain from the dentist. In addition they all admitted to high risk HIV activities (e.g. M2M contact etc..)

 

[jmick101]

We talk alot about needle sticks and exposure incidents, but I just want to throw out Scaling and Root planing as another likely scenario. Fact is I gouged a finger while scaling on an HIV+ patient and had to take a month of anti retros. It was no bueno, drugs gave me chills, nightmares, etc.

Its a slippery, bloody mess in there sometimes and I have had to learn to be extra careful the hard way. Funny thing is even though I have tried to be extra careful, I have still had some near misses. On an honest day, most of us will admit to have had incidents. You can take comfort in knowing that seroconversions are rare, but it helps your head to go through the post exposure protocols. Just my 2 cents.

 

[anschutz1913]

We talk alot about needle sticks and exposure incidents, but I just want to throw out Scaling and Root planing as another likely scenario. Fact is I gouged a finger while scaling on an HIV+ patient and had to take a month of anti retros. It was no bueno, drugs gave me chills, nightmares, etc.

Its a slippery, bloody mess in there sometimes and I have had to learn to be extra careful the hard way. Funny thing is even though I have tried to be extra careful, I have still had some near misses. On an honest day, most of us will admit to have had incidents. You can take comfort in knowing that seroconversions are rare, but it helps your head to go through the post exposure protocols. Just my 2 cents.

wow! these are the kinds of stories that give me the 'willies'