Practical Applicability of Infection Control in Dentistry: An Assessment Based on Students Feed-Back

• Published in: Journal of international oral health 2016-04, Vol.8 (4), p.502
• Main Authors: Kanaparthy, Rosaiah, Kanaparthy, Aruna, Boreak, Nezar, Khan, Mohammed Muzaffer Ali
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biofilms; Clinics; Dentistry; Disease; Etiquette; Hepatitis; HIV; Hospitals; Human immunodeficiency virus; Hygiene; Immunization; Microorganisms; Nosocomial infections; Pathogens; Patient safety; Patients; Personal protective equipment; Questionnaires; Response rates; Rubber; Students; Tuberculosis; Viruses
• ISSN: 0976-7428; 0976-1799
• DOI: 10.2047/jioh-08-04-19

The purpose of this study was to investigate compliance, awareness and practices of infection control procedures among senior dental students at the College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia. The study comprised 350 students of College of Dentistry, Jazan. A questionnaire developed with 15 closed.ended questions related to barrier techniques, vaccination status, infection control practices and awareness regarding mercury hygiene was distributed to all the dental students who were posted in the clinics and collected after it was answered. Of the 350 students, 284 responded and giving a response rate of 81%. Compliance with the use of protective barriers was an impressive 100% for use of gloves and face mask, but the use of protective eyewear was 33%, head cap 44%, and face shield a mere 18.6%. About 75.7% of students scrubbed their hands before and after treatment. While all students knew about the role of rubber dam in isolation and infection control, 89.4% said that they used it occasionally, and the rest never used it. All students were aware of the need for sterilization, color coding of wastes, need for vaccination against hepatitis B, and injection safety procedures. Awareness on managing patients with respiratory infections was 65.4%, and flushing of dental handpieces before and after use was carried out by 15.8% of students. All the students said that they did not dispose excess amalgam appropriately. The results of this study can help us to focus on the areas of weakness and conduct continuing dental education programs to close the gaps in knowledge. Constant efforts are needed to motivate students in the routine use of infection control measures.