Protective wear and instrument sterilisation/disinfection in UK general dental practice.

The 18,000 United Kingdom general dental practitioners registered for National Health Service (NHS) practice were surveyed in July 1991 to assess their current use of protective gloves, eyewear and masks, and instrument sterilisation. Nearly 7,000 (6,588) valid responses were obtained immediately; of these, 70% of practitioners wore gloves routinely for clinical work, but only 14.5% donned new gloves for each patient. About 60% wore protective eyewear routinely or all the time but 12% never wore eye protection, and only 36% of practitioners used masks. Autoclaves or chemical solutions were the most popular methods to disinfect handpieces, but less than half the respondents stated that handpieces were sterilised or disinfected after each patient use. Most respondents (81%) routinely used autoclaves for sterilisation of other instruments. Although the response rate to the questionnaire was low, the results indicate that, despite the risks of, and publicity about, cross-infection, a substantial number of NHS dental practitioners may not adequately disinfect or sterilise their equipment between patients.

The control of cross-infection in UK clinical dentistry in the 1990s: immunisation against hepatitis B.

Thirty thousand dentists and clinical ancillary staff in the UK were surveyed in July 1991 to assess the current state of immunisation against hepatitis B virus (HBV). About 11,000 responded immediately and nearly 94% of these had been, or were being, immunised against HBV. Nearly all dentists and therapists (94% in each group), 95% of hygienists, and 96% of dental surgery assistants had been immunised. However, one half of the respondents were at or approaching 5 years post-immunisation, the time when booster immunisation is recommended. About 53% of most responding clinical dental staff had been vaccinated 4 to 5 years before the survey, but, of these, nearly 81% had not had booster immunisation. Booster immunisation will now be indicated for most dental clinical personnel.

Hepatitis B vaccination and infection control practices of Jordanian clinical dental students.

The knowledge of occupational hazards from blood-borne viruses, and practices related to cross-infection control were studied in Jordanian dental students. A survey in July 1990 showed that over 90% were aware of the existence of vaccines against hepatitis B virus and most appreciated the possible long-term hepatic sequelae of hepatitis B virus infection. Nearly 50% had already been immunized against hepatitis B and a further 4% intended to be vaccinated. Autoclaves were used by more than 80% for the sterilization of dental instruments.

Cross-infection control: attitudes of patients toward the wearing of gloves and masks by dentists in the United Kingdom in 1987.

Dental patients in the United Kingdom were surveyed in February 1987 with respect to their views on whether dentists should wear gloves and/or masks. Most patients believed that gloves should be worn and few saw no need for either. Patients receiving care in a dental hospital were more enthusiastic than those seen in general practice in the belief that dentists should wear gloves and/or a mask.