[HIV infection: a new concern in dental public health]. / L'infection à VIH: nouvelle préoccupation en santé publique dentaire.

ABSTRACT

PIP: During January-March 1990, at 26 of 38 dental facilities throughout Senegal, health workers took blood samples from 10 dental surgeons, 60 nurse specialists in dentistry, and 21 dental health agents so researchers could determine the prevalence of HIV infection among dental public health providers. There were 2.67 men for every woman. Women were more likely to be dental surgeons than men. Most subjects were 26-35 years old and worked in the Dakar region. Five persons (3.81%) were infected with HIV. Three had HIV-1 infection (2.29%), one had HIV-2 infection (0.76%), and one had dual infection (HIV-1 and HIV-2) (0.76%). All three HIV-1 infection cases were women as well as dental surgeons. The remaining cases were men as well as nurse specialists in dentistry. The age of all HIV infected persons but one fell between 25 and 35. The age of the other case fell within the 36-45 age group. Four of the HIV infected persons were married and monogamous. The remaining case was single. All HIV positive persons had been practicing their profession for at least four years. The sole HIV-2 positive person had been practicing his profession for 10 years. Since there is the case of an HIV positive dentist in Florida (USA) who had transmitted HIV to five patients, one should not rule out the possibility of HIV transmission from dental professionals to patients. Thus, dental professionals should use bleaching solution diluted to 10% for 10 minutes. This solution should be available for all dental services. Dental providers should wear gloves, masks, and goggles with all patients. They should use single-use sterile material for each patient. Adequate emergency measures to prevent nosocomial transmission of HIV must be established in Senegal.