Transmission of HIV in the dental clinic and elsewhere

Abstract

This review focuses on the risk of transmission of HIV in dental practice in developed and developing countries; and as a result of oral sex, perinatal transmission and breast feeding. Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) and practical measures to control cross-infection with TB are also discussed. There are few data from resource-poor countries where prevalence of HIV and risk of infection are higher--issues that deserve priority. Available information indicates that the risk of HIV transmission in the dental office is very low. Transmission of HIV from three healthcare workers to patients has been confirmed, including a dentist who infected six patients. There are >300 reports (102 confirmed) of occupational transmission to healthcare workers, including nine dental workers (unconfirmed). Exposure to HIV has been reported by 0.5% dentists/year. The risk of HIV infection after percutaneous exposure (0.3%) can be reduced by 81% with zidovudine PEP. However, risk assessment is required to assess the need and appropriate regimen. The risk of HIV transmission associated with orogenital sex exists, but is considered extremely low: barrier protection is recommended. Conversely, the proportion of babies who acquire HIV from untreated HIV-seropositive mothers is 15-25% in developed countries and 25-45% in developing countries. The frequency of HIV transmission attributable to breastfeeding is 16%. Airborne transmission of TB can be avoided by the prompt referral of known/suspected cases of active TB for chemotherapy, deferral of elective procedures until patients are not infectious, and the use of appropriate standard/isolation precautions including adequate ventilation of treatment areas.

Infection control knowledge and practices related to HIV among Nigerian dentists

“…The risk of transmission of HIV in the dental care setting has been reported to be low [10,11]; however, this does not indicate a zero risk as dentists can be accidentally exposed to the virus and other bloodborne pathogens in the course of treating patients.…”

Knowledge and Attitude of Dental Students towards HIV/AIDS Patients in Melaka, Malaysia

“…In contrast to the present study, Kadeh et al (6) and Al-Sandook et al (13) reported that most dentists in their studies refused to treat this kind of patient. Current guidelines are that dentists must not refuse to treat a patient solely on the grounds of HIV infection, and they cannot legally refer these patients to speciality clinics for routine dental care (11).…”

“…These findings were comparatively low when compared with the findings reported by Sadeghi and Hakimi (4); Aggarwal and Panat (7). Since 1988, WHO has affirmed that all dental professionals must treat HIV patients (11). Dentists are ethically obligated to provide care for patients with infectious disease (12).…”

Atenção à saúde bucal das Pessoas que Vivem com HIV/Aids na perspectiva dos cirurgiões-dentistas

“…Estima-se que após um acidente percutâneo, o risco de soroconversão seja de 0,3%, e após uma exposição mucocutânea a sangue contaminado, o risco é de 0,09% (MCCARTHY ET AL., 2002). Também não existem casos de transmissão do vírus HIV por aerossóis, resultantes da atividade clínica odontológica (MARQUES, 2006).…”