Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 12/5/2008

Question
QUESTION: hi i recently posted a question earlier on regarding a tripto my dentist but the question was not really answered. I went to the dentist and was getting a filling done when a tool used in my mouth got stuck and tore the dentists glove, he then continued using it in my mouth. What are the chances that tearing the glove also tore his skin and exposed the insturment to his blood also the instrument was reinserted to my mouth and when you get a filling it usually bleeds, what is the possibily for blood to blood transmission here, and contracting disease from dentist

Thank you

ANSWER: I don't know what the chances of cutting his skin would be...if he is HIV+ and bled in your mouth, then transmission is possible. However, very unlikely in this situation.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you, i was also wondering if the instrument did tear through his skin and then he continued using it in my mouth where he was doing a filling which has exposure to my blood what are the chances? are they as great as needle stick or when u tear skin with a sharp instrument is there a delay before blood gets on it? because sometimes when u get a scratch it takes a few seconds to bleed. Sorry I know but i tend to be paranoid about these things at it is bothering me . Thank you again

Answer
The mouth is a mucous membrane so having an open wound is not necessary for transmission- it only increases the likelihood of transmission.

I cannot say because there isn't data on contracting HIV in such a way. Environmental transmission is extremely rare.