levy@uunet.UU.NET (2656-Daniel R. Levy(0000000)0000) (08/01/90)
claris!netcom!jfh@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Jack Hamilton) writes: >There have been several articles in the newspapers recently about a case of >supposed transmission of HIV between a dentist and a patient. Naturally, >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. 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)? 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 also had an endodontist that brushed his hands on his pants prior to working in my 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? -- Daniel R. Levy * Memorex Telex * Naperville IL * ..!uunet!tellab5!mtcchi!levy So far as I can remember, there is not one ... therefore be ye as shrewd word in the Gospels in praise of intelligence. as serpents <Gen. 3> and harm- -- Bertrand Russell [Berkeley UNIX fortune] less as doves -- God [MT. 10:16]
ddodell@stjhmc.fidonet.org (David Dodell) (08/03/90)
On <Wed, Aug 01 16:38>, 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