Cross infection control in private dental practice in Karachi, Sindh.

Abstract

The Aim of this study was to assess that what measures were taken routinely by private dental practitioners regarding cross infection control. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Private dental practitioners in Karachi. Period: 01-04-2018 to 30-09-2018. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire comprised of 10 questions was prepared regarding measures taken for infection control in private dental practice. The questionnaire was distributed randomly among 130 private dental practitioners by hand to carry out a cross sectional study on cross Infection control among the private dental practitioners in Karachi. The each question had two options (YES OR NO), and the respondents had to select one of the two. Results: The questionnaire was sent to 130 private dental practitioners, out of which 111 dentists responded and returned the questionnaire. The response rate was 85%. Following are the results obtained. 85% of participants asked detailed medical history. Majority of dentists (78%) were immunized against hepatitis B. 95 % of the participants stated that they wore gloves during dental treatment and change on each patient. Mask was worn and changed on each patient by 67% of dentists during treatment. Protective eyeglasses and protective face shield were worn by 20% and 2 % of respondents respectively during dental treatment. Majority of dentists (84%) used autoclave to sterilize the hand piece and 16% dentists used sterilized hand piece on each patient. 100% participants changed instruments such as extraction instruments, saliva ejector, hand piece, impression trays on each patient. Only 3% of participant disinfected the impression before sending to laboratory. Only 17 % participants used special container to disposal off sharp objects. Conclusion: Cross infection control measures need to be improved in private dental practice.

Impact of COVID-19 on Pakistani dentists: a nationwide cross sectional study

“…This can be confirmed by a few previous studies showing an overall poor compliance and knowledge on use of personal protective equipments (PPEs) among dental students of a teaching hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan [17]. Similar results were seen in Karachi, Pakistan where only 20% of the respondents were compliant unlike in other countries like Kuwait, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and Canada where knowledge and compliance was far better (84%) [18]. Therefore, lack of formal training/knowledge in infection control and limited resources is thought to be the reason of not adhering to cross infection control guidelines [19].…”

Determining the psychometric properties of a written test to assess safe dental practice

“…A recent study done by Das et al 45 focuses on crossinfection control in private dental practice in Karachi, Sindh. This study consists of 10 questions assesing only awareness related to cross infection.…”

Assessing the Knowledge and Adherence of Dental Students to Cross-Infection Control Measures

“…Adequate disposal of disposal items like syringes, needles, cartridges, and patients' contaminated materials (like cotton, gauze pieces, etc.) 5,6 . Cross-infection protocols must never be overlooked or ignored.…”