Background: The authors conducted a study on the use of postexposure prophylaxis, or PEP, for exposure to human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, among dental health care personnel, or DHCP, enrolled in a surveillance system established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. They also discuss updated U.S. Public Health Service, or USPHS, recommendations for managing occupational exposures to HIV, as well as considerations for dentistry.
Methods: The authors analyzed occupational exposures reported by DHCP to the CDC to describe characteristics of the exposure (for example, type and severity), the source patient's HIV status and use of PEP.
Results: From June 1995 through August 2001, DHCP reported 208 exposures--199 percutaneous injuries, six mucous membrane exposures and three skin exposures--to the CDC. One-third of these percutaneous injuries were caused by small-bore hollow syringe needles, and most (66 percent) were moderate in depth. Nearly half the devices involved (46 percent) were visibly bloody at the time of injury. Per the criteria described in USPHS guidelines, one-half of the injuries were categorized as "less severe." Twenty-four (13 percent) known source patients were HIV-positive; 14 had symptomatic HIV infection or a high viral load. In this study, three in four DHCP exposed to an HIV-positive source warranted a three-drug PEP regimen. Twenty-nine (24 percent) DHCP exposed to a source patient who subsequently was found to be HIV-negative took PEP; six took PEP for five to 29 days. No exposures resulted in HIV infection.
Conclusions: Findings of this study are consistent with earlier reports indicating that the risk of HIV transmission in dental settings is low. Strategies such as rapid HIV testing of source patients and follow-up counseling may reduce unnecessary use of PEP.
Clinical implications: Dental practices should develop comprehensive, written programs for preventing and managing occupational exposures to blood.