Patient Concern About AIDS
 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. The case in
Florida where the patient was apparently infected with the AIDS virus by
her dentist is the only such case out of tens of millions of dental
treatments performed since the introduction of the virus. The Center for
Disease Control still does not know the method of infection.
However, even one case is too many. 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.
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