If someone is aware of a dental professional having HIV, HBV, or HCV, what action should they take?

Filing a report with the commissioner of health is essential when someone is aware that a dental professional has HIV, HBV, or HCV. This action aligns with public health protocols and legal obligations to ensure patient safety and to manage potential exposure risks. By reporting to the appropriate health authority, it initiates necessary actions to protect the health of patients and the community, including the investigation of the dental professional’s practices and potential interventions. Public health laws often require that such information be reported to manage disease transmission effectively and to uphold professional standards within the healthcare community.