The incidence of Chickenpox has gone down drastically compared to a few decades back because more people nowadays are vaccinated against it. However, people who have had Chickenpox in their childhood are more likely to experience Shingles (Herpes Zoster). The reason is that the VZV has remained dormant in the dorsal root ganglion and is reactivated. As dental professionals, it is essential to understand the clinical presentation of the virus in a person. For example, a key factor for Shingles is that it does not cross the midline of the dermatome. Therefore, a patient manifesting signs of Shingles may present with a rash over the right forehead with vesicle and pustules, a few lesions on the right side, and the nose’s tip. This rash starts with tingling in the area and is also associated with aching pain.
Even though Shingles is not contagious, the VZV can spread to those that are not vaccinated against Chickenpox. Therefore, dental professionals need to understand the risks involving patients with Shingles.
