Patient Concern About AIDS — Infection Control

A recent survey of dental patients showed that patient protection was #1 on their list of concerns about dental care.

Some patients have even quit going to the dentist because of their fears. Fortunately, trips to the dentist have never been safer. Trips to the dentist are extremely safe: out of tens of millions of dental treatments performed since the AIDS virus was discovered, transmission in a dental setting has been essentially unheard of.

We have responded by adopting “universal (or standard) precautions.” These involve sterilizing all instruments in dry-heat ovens or steam autoclaves to kill any bacteria. Disposable items are used whenever possible.

The chance of contracting an infection in the dental chair is extremely remote — but the chance of losing one’s teeth because of lack of proper dental care is extremely likely. Take care of your teeth.

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