The True Story: A Case Back from Spain

On 23 May 2022, Denmark confirmed the country's first mpox case: a man who had recently returned from a trip to Spain. On the same day, Scotland also found its first case.

Spain was then one of the European countries with the most cases. Several countries finding first cases in returning travellers at almost the same time shows that health workers in every field should know the symptoms.

The Key Lesson: Dentists Work Close to Patients' Faces and Mouths

Dental clinics in Thailand see dozens of patients a day, and rashes or sores in the mouth can be a symptom of mpox. Points to watch are:

• Oral examinations which may reveal sores or lesions first
• Dental chairs and headrests used by patient after patient
• Patient bibs and safety glasses that must be changed or disinfected for everyone
• Light handles, instrument trays and controls touched during treatment
• Waiting rooms where patients sit together

How Mpox Spreads

According to the World Health Organization, mpox spreads mainly through close contact with an infected person's skin or sores, and can also spread through contaminated objects such as clothing, bedding and towels. Mpox is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate.

Risk Register for Dental Clinics

1. Team misses sores in the mouth or on the face: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: check face and mouth before starting and defer non-urgent work if suspicious lesions are found. Owner: dentist
2. Light handles and controls not wiped or covered: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: cover with barrier film changed for every patient. Owner: dental assistant
3. Chairs and headrests not wiped between patients: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: disinfect after every patient per clinic protocol. Owner: dental assistant
4. Patient safety glasses not disinfected: likelihood medium / impact low / level low. Mitigation: wipe after every use. Owner: dental assistant
5. No screening for the waiting room: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: ask about fever and rash when booking and at registration. Owner: front desk

Ways to Reduce Risk in Dental Clinics

1. Ask about fever and rash when booking and registering
2. Check face and mouth before starting
3. Cover light handles and controls changing covers every patient
4. Wipe chairs and headrests for every patient
5. Sterilise instruments to dental standards
6. Defer non-urgent work for suspicious lesions and refer to a doctor
7. Fog the clinic outside opening hours on a schedule

How ULV Fogging Helps

The World Health Disinfection disinfection service uses ULV fogging machines that turn the disinfectant into a fine mist. It settles across the whole area, including corners, curtains, upholstery and surfaces that hand wiping cannot fully reach.

• Whole-area coverage without relying on wiping spot by spot
• Quick return to use, typically about 30 minutes after fogging
• The team wears full protective equipment, so owners and staff do not take the risk themselves
• Report and photos after the job to show customers, management or authorities
• Tax invoice with 3% withholding tax for companies and agencies
• More than 5 years of experience in hospitals, offices, hotels and public buildings

The Disinfectant We Use: Chemgene HLD4H

The team uses Chemgene HLD4H. According to WHD's product page, it meets the EN 14476 standard for virucidal activity, is used in NHS hospitals in England, and is endorsed by Mahidol University. We do not claim that Chemgene has been tested against mpox specifically. But mpox is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate when used at the manufacturer's stated concentration and contact time.

• No harsh bleach smell
• Works on many surfaces, from desks and counters to handles and equipment
• Can be bought for daily wiping of high-touch points

Before and After

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the history of Denmark's first case? A: A man just back from Spain, confirmed on 23 May 2022, the same day Scotland found its first case. Q: What should a dentist do about suspicious mouth sores? A: Defer non-urgent work, advise a doctor visit, and disinfect the dental unit at once. Q: Does Chemgene HLD4H kill mpox? A: It is not claimed to be tested against mpox specifically, but it meets EN 14476 for viruses, and mpox is an enveloped virus. Q: Can dental clinics get a tax invoice? A: Yes. Tax invoices are issued and 3% withholding tax is supported. Call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Related Links and Sources

• World Health Disinfection disinfection service
• Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant and price
• Mpox information from Thailand's Department of Disease Control, hotline 1422
• WHO mpox fact sheet

Prevent It with a Disinfection Service and Chemgene HLD4H

The true story from Denmark is a reminder that travel-related cases can appear in many countries at once. Dental clinics that watch for lesions and disinfect the unit after every patient protect both the team and the next patient. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for dental clinics, treatment rooms and waiting rooms, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping dental chairs, headrests, instrument trays and counters.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268