N.z. Dentists ‘unlikely To Get A.i.d.s.’ (Press, 23 August 1988)
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Summary: N.z. Dentists ‘unlikely To Get A.i.d.s.’ (Press, 23 August 1988)
At a recent Dental Association conference in New Zealand, Dr. Martin Ferguson, a professor of oral surgery at Otago University, addressed concerns regarding the transmission of A.I.D.S. among dental professionals. He presented findings indicating that the risk of dentists or dental assistants contracting A.I.D.S. from patients is quite low. Dr. Ferguson noted that most research supports the idea that the likelihood of infection through dental work is minimal, and the risk of transmitting the virus from one patient to another is similarly low. He acknowledged that dental practitioners, like other healthcare workers, would encounter patients who are H.I.V. positive or have A.I.D.S. With a growing number of identified H.I.V. cases, Dr. Ferguson estimated that each dentist in New Zealand might treat one H.I.V.-infected patient annually. Given the challenge of identifying such patients, he advised that it was prudent for dentists to treat all patients as potentially infectious. Dr. Ferguson explained that while the A.I.D.S. virus can be found in saliva, its concentration is less than that found in blood or semen. However, during many dental procedures, blood and saliva can mix, which could increase the risk of infection. He reassured attendees that dentists are already well-versed in managing infection risks, particularly concerning hepatitis B. Over the years, the dental community has implemented numerous protective measures in anticipation of such health concerns. Since the emergence of A.I.D.S. in New Zealand, there's been an ongoing advocacy for a code of practice within the dental field. Many dentists have adopted the use of gloves during procedures, a practice that is now standard at the Dental School in Dunedin. Dr. Ferguson expressed confidence that, due to the established safety practices and awareness of infection risks, the dental profession is unlikely to experience an outbreak of A.I.D.S. among its practitioners.
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