Raghunath Puttaiah, Raman Bedi, Khalid Almas.
A survey of infection control practices among general Dental Practitioners in Lahore, Pakistan
J Pak Dent Assoc Apr - Jun 2001;10(2):71-6.
General Population of Lahore

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to undertake a dental infection control assessment among dentists working in Lahore, Pakistan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire with over one hundred variables (identification, Knowledge, attitude and practice, University standard precautions, availability of materials, finance and educational policy variables) was provided to 150 dentists in Lahore, Pakistan. A convenient sampling technique was used in this study. The questionnaire (instrument) has been specially developed for an infection control program for South Asian countries at Baylor College of Dentistry, USA. The data was analyzed by using SPSS version 9.1 for Windows. RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen of the participants returned the questionnaire with a response rate of 75%. The mean age of the respondents was 32 years. Nearly ninety percent of the respondents were with no post-graduate degree, while 100% of the dentists perceived the risk of infectious disease but only 69% were immunized against Hepatitis B infection. Only 62% of the respondents used sterile gloves during surgery. Almost 50-60% of the respondents used chemical and heat sterilization methods. Above 90% of the dentists were willing to use cross infection control materials if made available locally. Over 98% of the respondents wanted more formal training in infection control. All the respondents felt that education in, infection control must be made mandatory in the dental schools. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The level of infection control in dental practice in Pakistan is of concern and although some areas are encouraging, there is a clear need to ensure that standards are maintained and monitored. formal programs is Infection control and safety at work must be developed. It is very encouraging that there was a high level of awareness and willingness among dentists for infection control measures. There is a need of national survey as cross infection control in dental practices in Pakistan.

Category: Community Medicine
Keywords: Cross Infection Control. Dental Practice.

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