Comparing the types of viruses within the dental practice

A dental practice is an area that has enclosed spaces where people congregate daily. It contains shared public facilities in the form of waiting rooms and toilets, and is an ideal environment to facilitate the spread of pathogenic organisms. This may include blood-borne viruses (BBVs) such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and hepatitis C, but it can also include non-BBVs such as influenza and norovirus. If untreated, all of the mentioned pathogens can lead to severe illness and even result in death.

A lot of focus within cross-infection control appears to be more concerned with the prevention of BBVs, but ironically it is the non-blood-borne pathogens that are more infectious and can result in death at a much faster rate. This article will attempt to explore the risks associated with both in order to determine if more vigilance is needed when dealing with non-blood-borne viruses.