Infection control practices and compliance to national recommendations among dentists in Romania

The aim of this study was to measure dental office compliance with current Romanian infection control regulations. A questionnaire was completed and returned from 61 randomly selected offices (32 private and 29 public with 94 dentists), where the sterilizers were also biologically monitored. Results indicated that with few exceptions, infection control practices in public and private offices were the same, with compliance on sterilising reusable instruments. Private offices monitored their sterilizers more frequently and had much newer equipment. Gowns were universally worn, but use of gloves, masks and protective eye-wear showed non-compliance with less than 10 per cent of the offices using personal protective equipment for all patients. Cost was the deciding factor. Predominant environmental disinfectants were alcohol and bleach. Offices were in compliance as to the use of disposable anaesthetic needles and carpules. Dentists reported reluctance to be vaccinated against hepatitis B even when offered free immunizations (6.4 per cent) and only 18.1 per cent of dentists had received any infection control training in the last three years. Results indicate that offices were in compliance for most national regulations. However, there are no recently published standards for dentistry in Romania concerning disinfectants or continuing education. Comparison with the literature indicates comparable compliance with recommended national infection control procedures for Romanian dentists as for dentists in other countries.