Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ames!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ucla-cs!ddodell@stjhmc.fidonet.org From: ddodell@stjhmc.fidonet.org (David Dodell) Newsgroups: sci.med.aids Subject: Re: AIDS transmission between dentist and patient? Message-ID: <37656@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU> Date: 3 Aug 90 05:42:54 GMT Sender: news@CS.UCLA.EDU Lines: 67 Approved: aids@squid.cs.ucla.edu Note: Copyright 1990 by Daniel R. Greening. Permission granted for Note: non-commercial reproduction. Archive-number: 2335 On , 0000000)0000 (mtcchi!levy@uunet.UU.NET (2656-Daniel R. Levy) wrote: >this has people worried. The patient claims to have had no other possible >contact with HIV other than having two teeth extracted by that dentist. >Both the dentist and the patient agree that the dentist wore a mask and >gloves, and followed all the safety guidelines. But did you also read the section that the dentist admitted to needle sticking himself on multiple previous occasions? >I'm curious, do "all" the (dental office) safety guidelines include >disinfect- >ing the control handles and buttons of the dental chair and lamp >between >patients (or having someone else manipulate the equipment)? They should. I do at my office. Basic guidelines, "if it goes in the patients mouth, it should be sterile." Basically any instruments I use on patients have been sterilized in a chemical-autoclave, cold sterialized, or are disposables ... I also cover all the handles in my office with plastic sheets that are changed on each patient. All other control services, counter tops etc are wiped down with 2% gluderhyde between patients. Does everyone do this, as I said, they should, but I have worked in offices that the floor of my office was cleaner. I asked >my dentist >about this once and he said precautions are suppoed to be taken for >all things >he might touch while working, pointing out that, for example, if he is >called >to the phone while working he must re-wash his hands before >proceeding, but >implied that it is often left undone for the lamp and chair. I have You mean he picks up the phone with his gloved hands? I wouldn't want I want to use the phone. I remove my gloves when I leave a patient, and put on a new pair when re-entering the room. >mouth, and didn't say anything because I was afraid I'd look like a >dweeb >for complaining about something so "trivial." Surely it's far more >likely >I'd catch a cold or flu this way than HIV, but oughtn't even this to >be a >concern for dentists? Yes it should be, and you should generalize the profession based on a couple of bad experiences. The ADA has been working with CDC to get out to the profession good infection control guidelines, does everyone read them or do them, I doubt it. Should you complain, I would. I personally don't let any health professional, be it my dentist, physician etc touch me without washing and gloving. I also better not see those hands touching anything else (like their pants) ... it isn't trival when it comes to your health. David Dodell, DMD -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona uucp: {gatech, ames, rutgers}!ncar!asuvax!stjhmc!ddodell Bitnet: ATW1H @ ASUACAD FidoNet=> 1:114/15 Internet: ddodell@stjhmc.fidonet.org FAX: +1 (602) 451-1165