A Descriptive study on the infection control practices of dentists in the province of Tarlac year 2017-2018 - Argamino, Maria Cristina A.; Ildefonso, Corvi C.; Jose, Regine S.; Mendoza, Michael Antonio F.; Macapia-Sia, May Carol G. (Manila: Department of Community Dentistry, University of the Philippines Manila, c2017.)
INTRODUCTION: A lack of infection control practices during procedures increase risk of cross-infection among dentists and patients. This study aimed to describe the infection control practices of dental practitioners in the Province of Tarlac for the year 2017-2018.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using self-administered questionnaire containing items about infection control practices of 41 dentists from the Province of Tarlac. In addition, a direct observation during clinical work from respondents who consented was conducted. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and was evaluated using the recommended guidelines for dental health care settings of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
RESULTS: Most of the dentists (82.93%) are immunized against hepatitis B, but immunization status for diseases such as hepatitis B, influenza, mumps, measles, rubella, varicella and tuberculosis were not known (range of 9.76% to 48.78%). Among the personal protective equipment, only gloves and mask were reported to be used by 100% of participants, the least used is the protective eyewear (80.49%). With regard to hand washing, only 63.41% and 75.61% reported washing of hands before donning of gloves and after removal of gloves, respectively. All participants practice pre-cleaning of instruments, with soap and water being the most used agent (97.56%). Majority of the participants (80.45%) use autoclave to sterilize critical patient-care items. Forty participants (97.56%) reported using barriers on the different surfaces in the dental clinic; however, only 65.85% remove and discard surface barriers in between patients. Majority of the participants (90.24%) practice waste segregation. Two respondents consented to be observed for their infection control practices. Conflicting findings to some recommendations were observed between the two dentists.
CONCLUSION: Most of the dentists in the Province of Tarlac practice the standard precautions that should be employed in the care of patients. But immunization against rubella, varicella and tuberculosis; changing of gloves when torn or punctured; changing of masks in between patients and/or when it becomes wet or visibly soiled; and cleaning of clinical contact surfaces by manual scrubbing with detergent and water must be strengthened.
Seminar Paper--Doctor of Dental Medicine--University of the Philippines Manila
Keywords: Infection control, Dental; Dental instruments and apparatus--Sterilization.