Would you see an orthodontist whose other patient had HIV and hep C?

[skleep]

I went to a free consult with an ortho for me to get braces.  I noticed that he forgot to close out the medical records of another patient, when he was showing me before/after pics.  In bright red letters, the guy's chart said "HIV and Hepatitis".  I immediately flipped and the ortho got embarrassed because obviously that's confidential.  He reassured me that everything in the office is sanitized and that he treats every patient like they have HIV and hep c.  He says he uses a very strong chemical to clean everything and wipes down all his trays with disinfectant.  But this really worried me.

Would you still see this guy?  He told me that he actually has 4 patients with hep c, and that anywhere I go in the city, I'm going to find doctors with patients who have hep c.  Should I just relax and continue to see him?

[trainwreck]

At least he knows about it.  Probably makes him very careful.  I personally would not change if I thought he was a good ortho.

[WyattsMomma]

You do realize that EVERYWHERE you go, SOMEONE has been there with hep c and hiv? Hospitals, Dentists, doctors, restaurants, malls, bathrooms, everywhere. I really wouldn't give it a second thought, at all.

[oregoncoastlady]

I would absolutely still see my same dentist. When you go to see your regular doctor do you think the office is filled with healthy patients? No. They are sick with who knows what. Medical people take precautions, that includes dentists.

[vwgreen]

I'm the hugest freak ever, I'd probably have ran away lol. I'm terrified enough of the dentist as is. But if you think about it who knows how many medical providers have seen you after they saw somebody else with a condition like that. You probably had no idea and you have neither illness. They take precautions. But I'd still be creeped out for sure, I don't blame you on that, but its no reason to change dentists.

[marc]

None of us know what any patient has when we go to any doctors or dentists office.

[sixpack]

agree with the others....


we don't know medical issues of any other patients docs have.   Actually, being honest, I presume docs have people with communicable diseases.   It is only a logical conclusion.

so would I go to a doc or ortho or dentist whose other patient had HIV or hep C?   well I am sure I have many times over.

[beth0277]

You have to understand that ANY doctor you see is going to also treat people with serious diseases. This is the same as when you go to the grocery store and use a cart, or that person that waits on your for dinner at Applebees. We can't live our lives scared of things like this. It is just simply everywhere. I know my PCP treats at least one person with Hep C, because it is my Mother In Law. And it doesn't bother me at all. For what it's worth, those diseases aren't even that easily transmitted. My husband lived in a home with my MIL for 20 years and didn't contract Hep C. A lot of doctors probably also have these kinds of diseases. We just simply never know. I think it is important to relay your concerns to your dentist, but so long as you feel comfortable with the level of cleanliness in the office, you are fine. I get freaked out at places like nail salons, where the cleanliness might be subpar, but at a doctor's office, this is not something you usually have to worry about. And if you switch, you can almost guarantee that the new doctor will also have patient(s) with the same diseases.