Can you get sick from this?

Question

Hello! I have a quick question. While I was at the dentist today, something happened that concerns me quite a bit. My dental office is euipped with computers in which the Dentists can see X-rays on, and I noticed that while the Dentist was working on my teeth, he started working with the computer mouse, and then started cleaning my teeth again, with his hands in ym mouth. The mouse didn't look that dirty, but it didn't look very clean, either. I know that a lot of the Dentists out their bare hands on the "mice".

Is it possible for me to get sick from the germs that were on the mouse? What do you think? Am I overthinking it?

Answer 1

When you mention 'germs' I assume you mean infections. There are, basically, four types of 'germ', these being bacterial, fungal, virus and protozoa. The one you seem to be worried about are viral ,since the others depend on an environment that can sustain them to survive. Now it is possible for viral germs to live on articles and be transmitted but they could be anywhere, on a doorknob, a pen, a magazine or anywhere else that has been touched by an infected person. However it is unlikely that there would be any more risk from the dentist's mouse than+ from any other object he touched and there would have to have been contact from an infected person previously, very unlikely unless the dentist allowed patients to use his computer. When you say the mouse was 'dirty' how could you tell? Was it discoloured? Dirt does not necessarily harbour germs. Personally I wouldn't worry. You'll get far more contact with germs when you open the door by the handle. If you are concerned then mention it to the dentist. He won't mind.If you tell him that you think his mouse may be a source of infection then I'm sure he'll clean it.

Answer 2

My guess is you will be ok! But I would certainly check the dentist on his improper teccniques.He should have removed his gloves wash his hands again then put on new gloves,must of thought it would be faster.Im like you who knows who else uses the computer with or with out gloves and elses mouth he was in before you.Gloves are not only for his pertection but for yours also.