By the Nexus Laboratories health information team · Updated 27 September 2026

What happened

A 27-year-old female PhD student was diagnosed with HIV. She said she was careful about hygiene and had an annual health check-up, and every previous result had been normal. After her most recent check-up, the disease control centre called to tell her the result was HIV-positive.

“There must be a mistake. I haven't had any opportunity to be infected.”

Staff advised her to go to hospital for further testing, and the follow-up tests confirmed she was living with HIV. She knew HIV can be transmitted through blood, from mother to child, and through sex. She told the doctor she had never received a blood transfusion, had never been in a sexual relationship, and that mother-to-child transmission was impossible in her case.

The doctor asked whether she had had any surgery or cosmetic procedure. She said no, not even eyebrow embroidery. Then she asked whether teeth cleaning counted. She had gone to a private clinic because the big hospitals had long queues. The doctor told her the teeth cleaning was a possible route of infection.

Can you really get HIV from a dental cleaning?

It is possible in theory, because dental work can involve contact with blood. In practice it is very rare. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that HIV transmission to patients in healthcare settings is extremely rare.^[1]

What protects patients is not testing every patient for HIV beforehand. It is standard precautions used for every patient: staff wear protective equipment, instruments are sterilised, and equipment and surfaces are disinfected after each patient.^[2] Infections in healthcare settings usually happen when these steps are skipped.

How to protect yourself at the dentist

• Choose a licensed clinicCheck that the clinic is registered with the Ministry of Health.
• Watch the instrumentsInstruments should come out of sealed, sterilised pouches.
• New gloves and maskStaff should change gloves between patients.
• Ask questionsA good clinic will be happy to explain how it sterilises equipment.

After a possible exposure: act within 72 hours

Who should consider PEP?

PEP is for people with a genuine recent exposure, and a doctor will assess whether you need it. This includes people who have:

• had condomless sex with a partner who has HIV or whose status is unknown, including after sexual assault;
• had HIV-positive blood come into contact with an open wound or mucous membrane;
• had a needle-stick injury or shared needles.

How long is PEP taken?

PEP is taken every day for 28 days.^[3] Stopping early can make it less effective, so follow your doctor's instructions and attend follow-up tests.

Does PEP have side effects?

Some people get side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea or tiredness. These are usually manageable. Your doctor may also check your kidney and liver function during treatment. PEP is not 100% effective, and it is not meant for regular use; if you are often at risk, ask your doctor about PrEP instead.

Who should test for HIV?

Test privately at home

The iCare HIV 1&2 Home Test Kit is a private fingertip screening test. According to the product information, a result may be available in as little as five minutes. A reactive result must be confirmed at a clinic or hospital.

Buy iCare HIV test – RM48Find a clinic in KL