Cross infection control

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this study were to assess the level of awareness about cross infection control among dentists and to find out what measures were being taken by dental staff to avoid cross infection and to know the reasons why standard precautionary measures could not be used to curb cross infection. Specially designed questionnaires were distributed among dental practitioners at two major dental hospitals, attached to Khyber College of Dentistry [KCD] and Sardar Begum Dental College [SBDC] and various private clinics throughout Peshawar, to evaluate the awareness about cross infection control and its application in a dental setting. The overall response rate was 100%. According to the present study 80.5% of the dental practitioners were immunized against Hepatitis B. The verbal history taking method is predominantly adopted by most of the practitioners in the region i.e., 76.5%. Most of the dental practitioners routinely screen their patients for Hepatitis B and C i.e., 83%. They were very well aware of the sterilization methods, 93.5% were of the opinion that autoclave was the best method for sterilization. Only 40.5% of them used sterile covering and 55% disinfected the working surfaces. Examination gloves were used by majority, even for examination purpose i.e., 94%, and 92% of them handled one patient with a single pair of gloves. Mask wearing for examination purpose was noted in 68% and the numbers of masks worn in a single day were one to two masks in 63.5% of the practitioners. With regards to autoclaving of handpieces, 47.5% of the dentists autoclaved them every day. Protective Eye shield wearing at the time of surgery was often neglected by the majority of practitioners i.e., 65%. Resource deficiency was considered to be the primary reason [38%] for not following standard precautions. It was concluded that the knowledge of the dental practitioners in the region was good and there was increased awareness as far as sterilization and cross infection was concerned but when it comes to practice, it is lacking. Various reasons for not practicing universal precautions were cost, resource deficiency and large number of patients