Disinfection/sterilization in U.S. dental practices--practice behavior and attitudes

In an era when we are experiencing an increased awareness of communicable infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and hepatitis B, and in which stories regarding the fear of the spread of the HIV virus receive almost nightly news coverage, all health care professionals are taking extra precautions when providing care to patients. The concern of occupational transmission of infectious diseases from the perspective of patient to health care worker is not new. However, the sensationalized singular instance of a dentist in Florida who reportedly transmitted the HIV virus to five of his patients raises questions about the possibility of health care worker to patient transmission and puts the spotlight on the dental community.