Stemming the tide

In the dental surgery, the dental team and patients can be exposed to a wide variety of microorganisms that are transmitted via blood, saliva, respiratory secretions or from the skin. The use of surface decontaminants to reduce the potential spread of viruses and control bacteria within a surgery setting, is well-known and laid down in regulations and guidance.

Although the principles that underpin the need for infection control measures remain unchanged, the emergence of new diseases and the increase in incidence of others necessitate the need for continuous evaluation of current infection-control protocols. Dentists and managers must remain vigilant about the effectiveness of the infection control products they are using and a regular audit of materials should be regarded as general good practice.

One such disease increasing in prevalence is tuberculosis (TB); a respiratory disease that now affects an estimated 14m people worldwide. Once considered a disease in decline, TB has re-emerged as a significant public health problem in the UK being particularly prevalent in London and the West Midlands. The incidence of TB infections has been steadily rising over the past two decades (reaching a high of almost 9,000 in 2011)and poses a significant threat to public health.