Shamima Abdullah, Saima Hamid.
Assessment of infection control perceptions and practices of dental practitioners in tertiary care hospitals in Multan.
Pak J Public Health Jan ;5(1):14-9.

Background: Dentistry is a profession which involves continuous risks of exposure to different environmental as well as human infectious diseases, which can be transmitted through "blood, oral and oropharyngeal secretions, air and water". By understanding principles of disease transmission and using infection control practices, dental personnel can prevent disease transmission. The objective of this study was to assess the infection control practices and to examine the perceptions of dental health care providers working in Tertiary care hospitals in Multan, aiming to improve infection control practices in dentistry by promoting quality control measures. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in public and private tertiary care hospitals of the Multan, Pakistan. Study was conducted from May to August 2014. An observational checklist and a questionnaire to assess perceptions and practices of dentists based on CDC/WHO guidelines were used. Chi-square test was applied with a signicance level of p< 0.05 Results: Perceptions regarding spread of infections and infection control were good and majority of the doctors agreed that special precautionary measures must be adopted. Personal protective equipments, use of sterilizing methods including disinfectants, autoclaving of instruments are good barriers against infection control. Conclusion: Robust health education measures, proper periodic trainings and provision of personal protective equipments should be an essential part of the preventive strategy. Keywords: Infection control, Personal protective equipments, dentists. (Pak J Public Health 2015;5(1): 6-11)

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