My dentist visit experience as a Hep C'er

[ScarlettOscara]

   My first visit to the dentist while I "knowingly" had Hep c was a bit embarrassing. The dentist did not ask me how i "got it" at least. But I found it ODD that  I had a filling that was old and needed to be replaced and when I asked him if he could do this he said it was better to leave it alone. He cleaned my teeth and did use the little hooik to chip away some of the tartar on my teeth but not all. I did bleed allot and of course had warned him about the hep c before hand ..so I can't really blame him. I f he didn't do a thorough job because he was afraid of becoming infected how can you not understand that. He told me I needed to see a periodontist, which didn't surprise me because I had had gum surgery when I was only 21 for gum disease. (I was about 44 at the time of THIS dentist visit). I went home but never called a periodontist because I was just too embarrassed.
   Yesterday I went back to a new dentist a co-worker kept nagging me to go to. My co-worker does not know I have Hep C. He kept bugging me to go to see his dentist ..there are not many dentists in my area that accept the insurance I now have and I really neede to see a dentist since I hadn't been in 4 years..so I finally went.
   I did the what I consider the right thing and told him right away that I had Hep C and asked him if he was alright with this. He asked me if had consulted my doctor, and said that I may need to take antibiotics first like people with heart murmurs and such, before getting dental treatment. I told him I had never heard of that for Hep C.  He then asked me how I got Hep C. This was really humililating to me since I don't see why that matters, but I told him it was probably from some tattoos I had gotten when I was younger. The truth is I USED to main line heroiin way before anyone knew about AIDS and HEP C and I probably got it back then..but I really don't feel comfortabe telling people I used to be a junky..Now i am Not but NOW i have Hep C and no matter how clean I live my life now and how STUPID i NOW know I was I will ALWAYS have this Hep C to remind me of my passt and it really *****! He looked at my x rays and told my I had a large cavity and gum disease, he said he would only polish my teeth and to talk to my doctor. Before leaving I asked him that if I talk to my doctor and he tells me it is OK to go to the dentist, I wanted to know honestly if the Hep C would be a problem with him, he said he would have to see after I spoke to my doctor.
   On the train ride home I felt so depressed and dirty. I started to think paranoid thoughts about him telling my co-worker about me, "You know that woman you reccomended to see me...she's got Hepatitis C!!!" Oh God ..I hope not, but it does worry me. When I got home I  told myself it would be alright, I will find another dentist. I went online and looked for dentists that take my insurance. I found a good dentist in my area after MUCH web surfing and am going to call tomorrow morning for an appointment.
   And now the Question that BURNS in my brain...Do I tell THIS dentist I have Hep C!!?? I know the morally correct answer is YES..YES OF COURSE! But now I think if this dentist is afraid to treat me I have just about run out of options, my dam tooth is hurting and I need to get it fixed AND then see a periodontist...AND aren't dentists SUPPOSSED to clean all their utensils THOUROUGHLY?  Also, so many people have Hep C and don't even know.
I am thinking of just asking the dentist to please be sure to thouroughly clean all the equipment because a "friend" I  know contacted Hep C from haveing dental work and thereby asking them how well they clean everything...would that be responsible enough?? I would never never want to pass this Hep C on to anyone , am I correct in thinking if the dentist is CLEAN no one will be infected from me? Would it be horrible not to tell the dentist I have Hep C?? And if I do tell the dentist and I end up losing all my teeth because I can't find a dentist how will take my insurance AND treat me...THEN have I done the right thing??
DEPRESSED AND CONFUSED.
  

[moahunter]

It all depends on the dentist I guess. I decided to tell mine (before I was SVR). No issues at all, they didn't even blink, and proceeded to remove three wisdom teeth and replace a half dozen filings.  

I felt better telling - I mean, if your dentist reacts stupidly and ignorantly, perhaps thats not someone you want working on your teeth?

[Facta_non_verba]

I'm for telling anyone who may be exposed to my blood. I had spine surgery a few months before starting treatment, and I told my surgeon right away that I had Hep C. He had a right to know so he could take extra steps to protect himself. Also, he had a right to refuse to treat me, so he needed the facts.

It's true that we're all supposed to practice universal precautions, but knowing someone has a blood-borne communicable disease makes me extra careful with every incision I make and every stitch I place. I always take care to let the scrub nurse know that I'm placing a needle or blade on the mayo stand, but I'm even more cautious when I know the patient has hep C or any other thing that might infect me or the O.R. staff.

As for the feelings of shame that go along with having Hep C, you're not alone. Many of us had or have to face that. For myself, I just don't give a damn about that. Then again, everyone probably assumes it was from a needle stick anyway, so I would be more likely to be seen as unfortunate rather than a bad person. I didn't tell anyone at work mainly because I didn't want people constantly asking me how I was doing. I also might have faced discrimination despite the CDC and American College of Surgeons recommendations that surgeons with Hep C should face no restrictions in practice and that they need not inform their patients.

Just me two cents.

Jeff
Facta non Verba

[Proactive]

You did the right thing and I hope you continue to do so..I certainly, in clear conscience could not place having my feelings hurt, above the possibility of infecting another person with the virus. I mean my goodness, especailly at a dentist office, or where ever any chances off blood exposure are possible, how could you not inform, and still sleep well at night?
Best of luck on your decision, I did tell my dentist and all other medical professionals...only others I informed were my immediate family.
Pro

[Trinity4]

If they don't ask, I don't tell.  Heathcare provider or not and I do sleep well.
Trinity

[Proactive]

Interesting.......so let's look at pitter's case, to quote her
"I mainly say that bcz  I have 2 avenues of where I think I got it. , and one is through dentalDental cavities Tooth abscess work, and nobody there warned me!!! "
Let's say, for the sake of argument pitter did get infected at the dentist's office, and let's say you just happened to have the appointment just prior to her visit and infact through you, she did contract hcv...My belief is, that dentist may have taken extra precautions as a result of your devulging your infection, hell, that is human nature...sorry, I'm not going to take that chance..Cripes, I'm svr and still wouldn't let someone take a splinter out of my finger, I'm just not willing to that chance. To each their own I reckon , sleep well.
Pro

[justme53]

I informed my dentist and staff for their benefit as well as mine. If it's one less chance of someone else accidentally contracting HCV, it's worth it to me. And now if I need any dental work done during tx, they're aware of any challenges I may present with lowered platelets, depressed immune system and possible drug interactions.

Pam