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Infectious diseases and the dental office
P L Anders1, A J Drinnan, T J Thines
1University of Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, USA.
The New York State Dental Journal
|June 5, 1998
Summary
Dental professionals must understand infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis, as oral manifestations can be early signs. Knowledge aids in recognizing lesions and preventing transmission in dental settings.
Area of Science:
- Oral medicine
- Infectious disease transmission
- Dental public health
Background:
- Healthcare settings, including dental offices, pose risks for infectious agent transmission.
- Public awareness of infectious diseases like HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, and syphilis has increased.
- Oral manifestations are common early signs of several systemic infectious diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To inform dental practitioners about infectious diseases transmissible in dental settings.
- To highlight the importance of recognizing oral lesions associated with systemic infections.
- To guide dental professionals in implementing infection control measures.
Main Methods:
- Review of infectious diseases with oral manifestations.
- Analysis of transmission risks in dental environments.
- Discussion of diagnostic and preventive strategies.
Main Results:
- Several infectious diseases (HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, syphilis) present with oral signs.
- Dental settings can facilitate pathogen transmission if protocols are not followed.
- Early recognition of oral lesions is crucial for patient diagnosis and management.
Conclusions:
- Knowledge of infectious diseases is essential for dentists to identify oral manifestations.
- Implementing appropriate infection control minimizes disease transmission in dental practices.
- Dentists play a role in the early detection of systemic infectious diseases through oral examination.