Significance of detection of bloodborne pathogens before dental scaling

Abstract:

ObjectiveTo evaluate the necessity for testing patients’ serum indicators of infection before dental scaling.Methods1 929 outpatients in a stomatological clinic at a hospital between April and September 2012 were performed serological testing of HBsAg, antiHCV, antiHIV and syphilis (toluidine red unheated serum test,TRUST) before receiving dental scaling．ResultsBefore dental scaling, HBsAg positive rate was 2.50% in patients of 10-20 years age; positive rate of HBsAg, antiHCV, antiHIV, and TRUST was 7.14%,0.79%,0.26%, and 0.53% respectively in patients of 2140 years age, and was 4.06%,1.41%,0.09%,and 0.26% respectively in patients ≥41 years old.ConclusionTesting of serum indicators of infection before scaling is helpful for realizing status of bloodborne pathogen infection in patients, and promote control of healthcareassociated infection．