Volume 26, Issue 119, January 2022

Infection control practices in dental clinics of Al-Jouf region, Saudi Arabia: A cross sectional study

Abdulkarim Alshamrani¹, Amany Ghazy^1,2♦, Ibrahim Taher¹, Waleed Elawamy^1,3, Awad Ashekhi^4,5

¹Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
²Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt
³Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculties of Medicine, Benha University, Egypt
⁴Surgical Science Department, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
⁵Center of Medical and Bioallied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates

^♦Corresponding author
Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt

ABSTRACT

Dental practices have been associated with an increased risk of transmission of infections between patients and dentists, or among patients. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the infection prevention and control (IPC) practices in dental care settings of the Ministry of Health in Al-Jouf region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled dental healthcare workers (DHCWs; dentists and dental assistants) working at dental clinics of the Ministry of Health. A structured questionnaire collected data including demographics and work characteristics of the study participants. Results: The study recruited 159 DHCWs (response rate= 91.4%). Hand washing was reported by 84.9% after patient treatment, 45.5% before patient treatment, and 30.2% before donning gloves. More than 89% of DHCWs frequently used gloves and masks during dental procedures, changing gloves between patients, and using single syringes for local anesthetic injections. Less than 50% always used sterile gloves, disposable gowns, and eyewear for surgery. More than 87% reported using sterilizing burs all the time. More than 50% reported always immersing used instruments in decontaminant solutions, sterilizing hand pieces, and disinfecting impressions before being sent to the laboratory. HBV vaccination rate was 87.4%. Dentists with a bachelor’s degrees or higher were more compliant with IPC practices compared to the less qualified dental support staff. Conclusion: Dental IPC practices of DHCWs in Al-Jouf region showed a need to focus more on their importance and implementation among both dentists and support staff via continuous training programs and continuous supervision.

Keywords: Infection prevention and control; Dental healthcare workers; HBV vaccination; Hand hygiene, PPE; Disinfection and sterilization; Saudi Arabia

Medical Science, 2022, 26, ms8e2022

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi/v26i119/ms8e2022

Published: 5 January 2022