Can Dental Handpieces Transmit Infection?
Some reports in the media have suggested that dental handpieces (the instrument holding the dental drill) could possibly transmit HIV. These reports suggested that the debris from one patient’s mouth could become lodged inside a dental handpiece and then be expelled during the treatment of another patient. No transmission of any pathogen, however, has ever been documented by this route. Furthermore, dental offices sterilize their handpieces between patients, killing all potential disease-causing organisms, including the AIDS virus. “We, at Agoka Dental, use high speed handpieces that have anti-retraction valve built into the handpiece. They also have a patented ‘Clean Head System’ that prevents or reduces the debris from entering the Handpiece.
