Expert: Steven C. Scherr, D.D.S. - 1/5/2007

Question
Today I went to my Dentist to have my permanent cap put on.  When I got into the room the area wasn't cleaned yet (his asst. was off and he had to do it).  The metal tray, the mechanical equipment (electric file and the machine to grind your tooth to make your bite accurate) were cleaned by spraying tons of lysol directly on it.  I didn't think twice about it because I didn't think they were being used especially not on me.  Twenty minutes later they were used on me.  Am I at risk for contracting aids from this method and is this method of disinfecting unheard of?

Answer
Jill,

The U.S. federal government sets minimum standards for disinfection.  Each state can set additional standards that are no less stringent than the federal standards.  In the State of Maryland, where I practice, dental handpieces (the machine that grinds the tooth) must be heat sterilized between uses.  Surfaces, such as the metal tray, cannot generally be heat sterilized from a practical standpoint, and must be covered with a single use disposable barrier (such as plastic or foil) or may be chemically disinfected (Lysol is an approved disinfectant).  I suggest you contact your State Board of Dentistry for additional guidance if you are not confident appropriate standards are being met.

As to the risk of contracting AIDS or other infectious diseases, the likelihood is statistically very small.  The AIDS virus is not very hardy and does not survive very well on surfaces.  I mention this only for the sake of your peace-of-mind.  There is no excuse for sloppy infection control no matter the level of risk involved.

Jill, I wish you well.

Steve