Routine dental work risk for hep c?

[Worried11111]

Hello.
I recently visited a clinic for dental cleaning and noticed the assistant did not change gloves (!) when she was changing the equipments from the previous patient to the equipments which are going to be used on me. If, hypothetically speaking, the previous patient has hep c, is there risk? Because I have read on the internet that hepatitis c spreads through contaminated equipment.
Thank you

[Idyllic]

Ever since I cleared the virus I always notice things like proper disposal of a needle after a blood draw, changing gloves and other recommended practices.

Having said that there has to be a blood to blood exchange for transmission.

Here is a little info from the CDC site:
Hepatitis C is usually spread when blood from a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected.  

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/cfaq.htm#cFAQ31

[Worried11111]

Thank you all for your reply. I really appreciate it.
God bless you all. :)

[flyinlynn]

As an example the risk of transmission in the case of a medical worker who experiences an accidental needle stick involving a patient with known hep c is about 1.8% risk of contracting the virus. So if the risk in this situation is low your risk would be that much lower.

If you need to get tested for your own peace of mind wait 6 months after the incident to be sure of an accurate test result.

But personally I would not lose any sleep over it.

Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.

[Worried11111]

Thank you all for your feedback.
I will be sure to be more vocal to ensure my own safety next time and save all the anxiety.
However, does minimal risk means that I should get tested for peace of mind? There is no visible blood or fluid and the only equipment that enters my mouth was the mouth mirror and the scaler tip. Will the risk increase if it were a hollow needle and not a solid sharp? Read too much off the internet.

Thank you all again. :)

[SurfsideGal]

I would think the risk is minimal but not nonexistant. If it ever happens again ask the tech to change gloves. And, it should be reported to the doctor.

[dontworry_behappy1]

Well I would have brought it to the assistants attention.
Dental care is a way transmitting hepatitis C.   It had to say if this is a risk because you don't know for sure.   It's a what if.   Hepatitis C is transmitted by blood.

[fretboard]

Absolutely, I would have told the dental tech or call the office and let them know asap.  Same thing happened to me a few years ago.  I simply stopped going to that dentist but I wish I would have just said something to the hygienist.  You never know, maybe her dog died that day and it slipped her mind.