Risk of Bacterial Transmission in Dental Practice

Every day, bacteria and viruses are passed between people at home, in the workplace and in the community. Given the number of these organisms found in the mouth and nasopharynx and the potential for aerosolization of blood and saliva during dental procedures, it is likely that transmission occurs frequently in this setting. Although few studies have looked at transmission of bacteria in dental practice, indirect evidence that this occurs can be obtained from seroprevalence studies that show that antibodies to a number of viruses found in saliva (such as cytomegalovirus [CMV], influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus [RSV]) are more common in dentists than in the general population and increase with time from graduation.1 Carriers of bacteria may be asymptomatic, and transmission to the dental worker and patients can occur if infection control measures, such as use of gloves, masks, protective eye wear and hand hygiene practices are not adhered to.