INFECTION-CONTROL IN DENTISTRY

Transmission of infectious agents between dental health care workers and patients continues to be of concern. Improved infection control procedures, including appropriate vaccination, has significantly reduced the risk of occupational acquisition of hepatitis B virus and there is currently little data of transmission of hepatitis C virus in the dental clinic. Transmission of HIV to dental health care workers has not been documented; transmission from an HIV-infected dental health care worker to six patients has been reported but the route of transmission is still not known. While standards of infection control have significantly improved in the past decade, staff compliance with appropriate procedures remains variable, and other weaknesses in cross-infection control in dental practice still remain.