The management of occupational exposures to blood and saliva in dental practice.
Accidental injuries when handling sharp or rotating instruments can allow inoculation of a dental team member by the patient's blood or saliva. The risk of transmission of HIV from occupational exposure among dental workers is low and to date no occupational exposure has resulted in HIV transmission. However, hepatitis B and C have a high morbidity and mortality and are more infectious than HIV. This paper demonstrates how occupational exposures to blood and saliva could be managed in general dental practice and outlines the legal responsibilities of a dentist in the management of these exposures.
Palmer
G D
GD
Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Dentistry, London.
Fleming
G J
GJ
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D003663:Decision Trees; D003727:Dental Auxiliaries / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003815:Dentists / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000635:transmission; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000821:virology; D006113:United Kingdom; D016635:Universal Precautions / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence