Abstract
Aim: Dentists are at a risk of transmitting infectious diseases in a dental setting, which may be transferred from the patient to dentist, dentist to patient or from patient to patient. There is risk of transmission of infectious agents via cross contamination through dental procedures. To assess the compliance to infectioncontrol protocol and assess the knowledge of infectious diseases among dentists in Trivandrum city. A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out among the dentists in Trivandrum city.Materials and Methods: One hundred and seventy four dentists (males 56.7%), who were members of the Indian Dental Association, Trivandrum Branch (80%of total dentists), were given self-administered questionnaires. Analysis was done using SPSS version 14.Results: None of the respondents had 100%compliance to all infection control procedure. The mean score of compliance was 84.7/115 (86.3 - females and 83.5 – males, Range: 58-107). Mean score of knowledge of infectious diseases was 23.7/30 (23.6 – males and 23.8- females) 93% compliance with standard protocol was the maximum reported (2 dentists). Experience of more than 30 yrs and presence of a dental assistant was significantly associated with higher compliance to infection control protocol.Conclusion: Being a dental college faculty, working in the private sector and awareness of standard protocol were significantly associated with Knowledge of infectious diseases. Compliance was positively correlated to knowledge. It is imperative from the study that dentists require more training and continuing dental education in infection control.
Highlights
Infection control is an important part in the practice of health professionals.[1]
In light of the limited studies in India on general dental practitioners, and lack of studies in Kerala, this study aims to fill in this critical gap in research by aiming to study the infection control procedures followed by dentists in Kerala; their compliance to internationally accepted standard guidelines and to understand their knowledge and perceptions with regard to infectious disease transmission in dentistry and infection control procedures
The findings of this study highlight the need for strict adherence to infection control protocol in dentists
Summary
Infection control is an important part in the practice of health professionals.[1] Dentists are at a risk of transmitting infectious diseases in a dental setting, which may be transferred from the patient to dentist, dentist to patient or from patient to patient.[2] There is risk of transmission of infectious agents via cross contamination through dental procedures. Transmission of microorganisms can occur in the dental settings through contact with blood or other body fluids, contaminated objects, an infected person or inhalation of airborne microorganisms.[3]. Molinari[7] has concluded that dentists are at higher risk of certain infectious diseases in comparison with the general population; and that the modified infection control protocol recommended by CDC in 2003 would reduce the risk of transmission of infectious diseases in the dental scenario. Cross infection can be described as the transmission of infectious agents between the patients and the staff in a clinical environment.[2]
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