Cross Infection Control Among Dental Professionals Of Peshawar

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study are to: 1. Assess the level of awareness about cross infection control 2. Find out what measures are being taken by dental staff to avoid cross infection. 3. Know the reasons why standard precautionary measures cannot be used to curb cross infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaire was distributed among Dental practitioners at various private clinics and at the two major dental hospitals, i.e. Khyber College of Dentistry and Sardar Begum Dental College, to evaluate the awareness about cross infection control. RESULTS: According the present study 80.5% of the dental practioners were immunized against hepatitis B. The verbal history taking method is adopted by 76.5% dentists. Most of the dental practioners routinely screen their patients for Hepatitis B and C i.e., 83% while 93.5% are of the opinion that autoclave is the best method for sterilization. Only 40.5% of the practioners use sterile covering and 55% disinfected the working surfaces. Examination gloves were use by majority for even for examination purpose i.e., 79.5%, and 92% of them handle one patient with a single pair of gloves. Mask wearing for examination purpose was noted in 68% of practioners and the number of masks worn in a single day were one to two masks in 63.5%. Majority of the practitioners autoclaved their handpieces everyday i.e., 47.5%. Disposable needles were used by 93.5% of the dental practioners. Protective Glass wearing at the time of surgery often neglected by majority of practioners i.e., 65% while 90.5% used to disposable plastic cups to rinse patients mouth. 38% of the practioners cited resource deficiency as the primary reason for not following standard precautions. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of the dental practioners in the region is good. Various reasons for not practicing universal precautions were Cost, Resource deficiency and burden of the patients