INFECTION CONTROL PRACTICES AMONG GROUP OF DENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

objective: To observe adoption of infection control measures among group of dental students, staff and assistance attended to Sinai University and ministry of health in Egypt.
 
methodology: A cross-sectional randomized study based on a convenient sampling technique was conducted. A total of 225members chosen by random sampling were attended to fill a close ended structured questionnaire (response as ‘yes’ or ‘no’). Study was conducted from the first of February to the first of May 2015.   Statistical analysis for knowledge, attitude and practice descriptive statistics were computed using the SPSS software for Windows version 17.
 
results: Two hundred and eighteen dental health care providers were asked to participate in the study and response rate of 96.9% was obtained. The included persons as 20 staff members, 150 undergraduate students, 48 were health workers. Significant differences between the study groups were noticed for means of practice scores (p≤0.01) and significant linear correlation was observed between knowledge and practice scores (p≤0.01).
 
conclusions: Lack of awareness regarding universal precautions proposed by Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is observed among dental practitioners. The knowledge and attitude of dental students about cross infection control is enhancing but there is still some room for developing a firm attitude. This attitude can be improved by refreshing and upgrading their knowledge by obtaining continues education regarding universal infection control measures through arranging sessions or lectures for dentists.
recommendations: There is a great need for enhancing the awareness of infection control guidelines among dental practitioners