The study of the methods of cross infection control used by dentists, dental assistants and students from Araraquara-SP

Abstract

The objective of this study was to check the methods of cross infection control used by dentists, assistants and students from Araraquara - SP through questionnaires that aimed to observe the methods of asepsis in the dental office. The questionnaires contained questions about the procedures for decontamination of surfaces, rotary instruments and clinical appliances. They were handed to 150 students and mailed to 336 dentists and 25 assistants. One hundred and twelve students, 38 dentists and 22 assistants answered the questionnaires thoroughly. The obtained data were organized in tables and analyzed through descriptive statistics. Cross infection rules, such as clinical appliances and office disinfection, and surface covering are used by 88.39% of the students, 97.36% of the dentists and 100% of the assistants. Therefore, only 68.18% of the assistants and 73.68% of the dentists use caps. Any dentist mentioned has worn goggles. A great number of dentists (78.94%) and students (55.35%) use chemical substances for the rotary instruments sterilization. Thus, this study showed the necessity for dental team of having a careful training and better information about the cross infection rules associated to the awareness of their importance in order to improve the knowledge about cross infection control. Key words: Infection control. Disinfection. Sterilization. Burs.