Is there any risk of HIV transmission during visit at dentist. The doctor used new gloves, but there was a lamp with blood residue probably from previous patient. Can blood taken from lamp be transferred to my mouth and result in HIV infection?

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Home / Answered Questions / Is there any risk of HIV transmission during visit at dentist. The doctor used new gloves, but there was a lamp with blood residue probably from previous patient. Can blood taken from lamp be transferred to my mouth and result in HIV infection?

Is there any risk of HIV transmission during visit at dentist. The doctor used new gloves, but there was a lamp with blood residue probably from previous patient. Can blood taken from lamp be transferred to my mouth and result in HIV infection?

Hi, and thanks for your question

As far as we know, there has never been an incidence of HIV spread this way. HIV does not live outside of the body on surface. Even if there was HIV-infected blood on a surface, the virus would die within a few seconds and would not be able to infect another person. From what you’ve told me, there is no HIV risk to you from this dental visit

Our HIV and AIDS page as well as our STIs at a Glance chart can be useful in understanding how STIs including HIV are passed from one person to another

Let us know if this does not answer your question or if you have any more questions or concerns.
Health Nurse

This answer was posted on March 7, 2019.

This answer was updated on February 7, 2022.