Gu Jia / Shanghai Daily news

According to the authorities at the Ninth People's Hospital, one of the two HIV cases detected recently was diagnosed through a routine blood test in the fever clinic, while the other was detected at the daily dental surgery.
As a result, experts have suggested a timely test for HIV carriers who appear to be in ordinary dental trouble, reported today's Youth Daily.
The infrequency of detecting HIV carriers through daily dental examinations weakens the watchfulness of most dentists and nurses, though they are aware of the possibility of viral transmission via any medical treatments in relation to oral cavities.
"Periodontal or dental diseases, such as canker or inflammation at the corners of the mouth, can be symptomatic of the acute infection period of HIV, " explained Prof. Zhou Cengtong, an expert in Oral Mucosal Disease.
In addition to the timely test for suspected HIV carriers, Prof. Zhou also suggested great care be taken by medical workers to ensure their personal protection.