An Evaluation of Hand Hygiene Practices Among Dentists

Introduction: Hand hygiene practices refer to the methods used to reduce the transient microbial flora without affecting the normal flora of skin by the use of antiseptic hand wash. The study aimed at evaluating the hand hygiene practices among the dentists and the dental students of the teaching institutes of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Materials & Methods: A descriptive study was carried out in the dental institutes of Rawalpindi and Islamabad for duration of two weeks. A sample of 120 was selected using non-probability convenience sampling technique. Consent was taken from the ethical review committee of AFID Rawalpindi as well as from the different institutes visited. An observational Performa was made and filled by the members of the study in different dental colleges of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The forms were analyzed and results were compiled using SPSS 18.0. Results: Out of the 120 people observed there were, 39.2% students, 41.7% house officers, 15% residents and 4.2% consultants. Only 6% students, 2% house officers, 6% residents and 0% consultants washed their hands before and after completing a procedure. Whereas, 38% students, 26% house officers, 61% resident and 100% consultants did not wash their hands at all. When observed for the use of disinfectant, only 19.1% students, 20% house officers, and 0% residents and consultants complied. Conclusion: Compliance towards hand hygiene practices among dentists in general and among the senior dentists in particular was found to be low.