The purpose of this study was to assess the status of Dental Infection Control and Occupational Safety in India. 456 respondents (dentists) used this self-administered survey instrument containing about 96 variables. Over 95% of respondents felt that HIV and Hepatitis were infectious disease risks of concern and that infectious diseases were on the rise in India. Education and training in Dental Safety were lacking and that the latter are made mandatory in dental school curricula. Availability and access to safety materials and equipment were lacking in India and affordability was an issue. While respondents had adequate knowledge in the subject of infectious diseases, attitude (Stigma) towards treating infected patients was a negative factor with a significant number stating that double gloving was necessary, medical history dictated additional precautions and finally that care providers had the right to refuse care to Infectious patients. Although standards in Dental Safety are in place, implementation of educational (both didactic in schools and continuing education for practitioners) is a priority. Dental industry from within and outside India must play a role in this effort. In conclusion, significant structural and educational support activities are indicated with improvements in access and availability of materials and equipment to improve dental safety in India. Further, stigma of infectious diseases must be eradicated if not reduced towards infectious patients.

Objective:To compare infection control (IC) knowledge, attitudes and practice of dentists across eight countries.Methods: Self-administered infection control surveys were completed by 1,874 clinicians in eight countries. Practitioner's knowledge, attitudes, and practice of infection control were examined using over 100 variables. Chi-squared statistics (α = 0.05) were used to compare respondents from different national groups. Results:Immunizations rates varied significantly across the eight countries (p < 0.01) with Asian countries having a lower rate of immunization against HBV than the United States practitioners. Perceived risk of acquiring HIV varied significantly across the study groups (p < 0.01); China had the lowest portion (75%). Dentists in the US reported 92% surface barrier use; only 15% in China reported use. Only 58% of practitioners in Pakistan reportedly used disposable exam gloves; 97% of US practitioners regularly use these gloves. For all groups assessed, including the United States, little over 50% of practitioners understood and practiced Universal/Standard (UP/SP) precautions effectively. Conclusion:Analyses from this study suggest that the dental IC knowledge and practice varied widely across the eight countries of interest. Many of the countries were found to have barriers to access IC materials. Results indicate that all eight countries could use improved education standards for universal precautions.Clinical significance: Knowledge, attitudes and practice of dental safety vary in different parts of the world. This study compares the compliance rates in dental safety among countries and pegs them to the level of practice in the United States. This study also provides evidence-based data on the needs in the regions surveyed and could be used to implement remedial educational measures in improving safe practices.

Orthodontic treatment in adult patients is one of the most frequently encountered components involving multidisciplinary approaches. In the present report, a 28-year-old male patient was treated for localized chronic periodontitis with pocket formation, mobility, pathologic migration and malalignment of maxillary left lateral incisor tooth #22. The periodontal therapy included motivation, education and oral-hygiene instructions (O.H.I.), scaling and root planing and periodontal flap surgery. Subsequently on resolution of periodontal inflammation, orthodontic therapy was carried out using the orthodontic aligner for a period of 6 months. Post-treatment (3 years) results showed complete resolution of infrabony pocket with significant bone fill, reduced tooth mobility and complete alignment of the affected maxillary left lateral incisor, thus restoring the esthetics and function.

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