Philadelphia Dental HIV Testing Alert
It was reported to patients of Smiles at Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia that they should test themselves for HIV and hepatitis because of fear associated with poor infection control procedures.
While the dental clinic mentioned above might be shut down, the reactions associated with social media and around Philadelphia have gone well beyond the health issues presented by this event.
To many people, it is an event that deals with the modern-day health fear of what can occur when a place considered trustworthy turns out not to be all that it seems.
In light of today’s era where health concerns constantly make headlines, this problem reaches further than just within Philadelphia itself.
The Ordinary Becomes Anything but Normal Within a Matter of a Moment
An appointment with the dentist ranks among the least extraordinary visits to a doctor for the vast majority of people.
You schedule the appointment.
You take a seat in the dentist’s chair.
You expect that everything will be sterilized.
You leave home knowing that nothing else needs to be considered.
It is precisely the expectations just mentioned which make stories such as the one told from Philadelphia so shocking to ordinary citizens.
According to the health authorities, there were indications that some of the clients should undergo tests because of fears that may have arisen regarding the question of whether or not there was proper infection control in the dental practice. It should be stressed that the recommendations for taking tests are usually just additional precautions.
However, the mere mention of the words HIV, hepatitis, and dental practice caused great alarm in the population.
Why Is Such Information So Rapidly Spread?
There are various factors involved in rapid spread of information associated with fear of health threats via social media channels. One of the most important is the fact that such information touches upon one’s psychological vulnerability, which relates to the topic of the hidden threat.
While most other types of hazards imply some kind of visibility, in case of fear of contagious disease risks people may ask themselves:
- “Do I have the same risk in my own doctor’s office?”
- “How can I be sure about anything here?”
- “How often do they conduct inspections there?”
- “What security measures do they take?”
This uncertainty provokes people’s desire to act more quickly on social networks.
Another important factor in such cases is that of trust.
Post Pandemic Era of Health Anxiety
Health experts have made mention of how the pandemic led to a sea change in how several people perceived risks in relation to their thoughts on issues such as hygiene and healthcare.
Before 2020, patients were not concerned with things like:
- Sterilization procedures
- Cross contamination
- Infection control procedures
- Medical equipment disposal procedures
Nowadays, it looks like everyone is aware of everything mentioned above.
Courtesy of Fundación HCV Sin Fronteras (Flickr CC0)It is against this background that the case of the Philadelphia dentist emerges.
But then again, this should not be seen as an increase in risk. Instead, what it should be seen as is increased awareness on issues relating to healthcare.
HIV and Hepatitis Information Also Carry Their Own Emotional Load
Yet another point that adds emotional charge to the story is the fact that both of these illnesses have their own emotional load for people, even with all of the progress done in medicine.
The developments in prevention and treatment have contributed to the improvement of the situation with regards to patients suffering from such ailments as HIV and hepatitis, making the occurrence of these illnesses extremely rare.
However, the old attitudes towards the disease have had a lasting effect on how people react to any information about HIV and hepatitis.
Thus, even the news about preventative measures is treated with interest and excitement by many.
Trust Forms the Foundation of Dental Clinics
Unlike hotels or businesses, healthcare organizations have faith in things that are unseen by the majority of the consumers.
People do not examine whether the equipment is sterile.
They don’t audit the sanitation report either.
It is assumed that everything is done in accordance with the professional standards.
Trust is the foundation of modern healthcare system.
As soon as infection prevention is discussed, people react emotionally because it does not coincide with their trust to safety within the process of treatment in the healthcare setting.
Dentistry faces many challenges related to using blood and sharps in practice.
A Word of Caution for Public Health Authorities
The officials responsible for handling similar cases always like to emphasize that undergoing tests does not mean anything regarding transmission.
There can be times when the public health officials might simply suggest going ahead with tests out of sheer precaution over procedure related concerns, which can be raised at a place like the healthcare facility since there is always the risk of transmission.
However, it should never be forgotten, medically as well emotionally, once sensationalized news starts appearing on social media channels.
Especially concerning stigmatized illnesses.
Importance of Transparency in Healthcare Industry Rising
In the same way, the story about Philadelphia illustrates a trend in the healthcare industry that is marked by the desire of patients to have more transparency.
These include:
- the need for transparency in regards to:
- the process of cleaning,
- the rules for inspection,
- health departments’ power in enforcing their rules, and
- timely communication of any risks.
This indicates a shift in culture whereby information becomes available promptly in most sectors.
However, the healthcare industry used to be characterized by procedures that remained internal and patients were rarely informed about them.
This is not the case anymore.
Changes in Local Public Health Concerns During the Internet Era
From being nothing more than a local news story at best,
In modern times, one public health announcement is sure to trigger a national discussion.
Footage from TikTok videos, Reddit posts, and even reprinted news headlines quickly transform a local public health issue into a matter of medical trust and worry.
It is a problem that faces both sides:
Health officials wish to communicate without causing panic,
while the patient finds it difficult to decipher everything alone.
A Remind about Contemporary Medicine
Indeed, there is a lot more than a single clinic shutting down in the case of the dentistry in Philadelphia.
It shows how important it is that medicine should not only exist as science but also become the object of patients’ trust.
They come to clinics relying on their being protected by some invisible insurance starting from the moment when they step inside until they exit it. The shock of losing this illusion does work really fast.
In the age of technology where everyone shares their health problems right away, the importance of the event lies in challenging one of the key beliefs of patients – that of safety.
By David Loran Jr
A successful Editor-in-Chief, journalist for over 6 years, writing about important topics that are going on within the U.S. and beyond.
Sources:
NBC 10 News: Officials: Patients of Rittenhouse Square dentist should be tested for HIV
ABC 6 News: Possible HIV, hepatitis exposure at Philadelphia dental clinic due to unsafe practices: PDPH
Featured Image Courtesy of IAEA Imagebank‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Fundación HCV Sin Fronteras’ Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
