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Current Oral Health Reports
Published in: Current Oral Health Reports 4/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Epidemiology (M Laine, Section Editor)

Cross-transmission in the Dental Office: Does This Make You Ill?

Authors: C. M. C. Volgenant, J. J. de Soet

Published in: Current Oral Health Reports | Issue 4/2018

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Recently, numerous scientific publications were published which shed new light on the possible risks of infection for dental healthcare workers and their patients. This review aimed to provide the latest insights in the relative risks of transmission of (pathogenic) micro-organisms in the dental office.

Recent Findings

Of all different routes of micro-organism transmission during or immediately after dental treatment (via direct contact/via blood-blood contact/via dental unit water and aerosols), evidence of transmission is available. However, the recent results put the risks in perspective; infections related to the dental office are most likely when infection control measures are not followed meticulously.

Summary

The risk for transmission of pathogens in a dental office resulting in an infectious disease is still unknown; it seems to be limited in developed countries but it cannot be considered negligible. Therefore, maintaining high standards of infection preventive measures is of high importance for dental healthcare workers to avoid infectious diseases due to cross-contamination.
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Metadata
Title
Cross-transmission in the Dental Office: Does This Make You Ill?
Authors
C. M. C. Volgenant
J. J. de Soet
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Current Oral Health Reports / Issue 4/2018
Electronic ISSN: 2196-3002
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40496-018-0201-3

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