Friday, July 13, 2007

Dental News Update: Oral Fluid HIV Test

As reported in the Academy of General Dentistry Impact Magazine (July 2007): Vol 35, No7, p26

McGill University Health Centre (Canada) and the Mahatma Ghandi Institute of Medical Sciences (India) have successfully tested an oral swab HIV test that is 100% accurate. The test involves rubbing a swab against gingiva twice to collect oral fluid. The applicator on the stick then detects blood HIV antibodies in 20 minutes or less.

(my paraphrasing)
What a great advancement in HIV testing (especially for the third world, which usually has limited access to high tech labs and equipment).


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100