Dental clinical attire and infection-control procedures. Patients' attitudes

The authors surveyed adults in military and civilian dental practices about infection-control procedures and clinical attire to see if patients' attitudes had changed with the alteration of infection-control procedures over the last two decades.

The authors surveyed 1,500 adults, using a written questionnaire at two military hospital dental practices and at four civilian dental offices, which included two general practices, one periodontal practice and one orthodontic practice.

The authors found that the use of name tags and patient safety glasses during treatment were preferred by 52.0 percent and 53.4 percent, respectively, of respondents in military facilities. Respondents had no preference about dentists' clothing, use of protective glasses for examinations or head cover use. A majority of respondents preferred that dentists wear glasses when performing treatment (54.1 percent), and 77.4 percent of respondents preferred that dentists wear masks when providing their care. Respondents preferred the use of plastic barriers, and 63.0 percent said it made them feel confident that proper infection-control procedures were followed. A majority of respondents (52.3 percent) said they would be concerned if barriers were not used.

Military and civilian respondents had similar perceptions of infection-control procedures. Respondents said they preferred that dentists wear name tags in group practices and use masks and protective glasses when performing treatment. The use of plastic barriers made respondents feel confident that proper infection-control procedures were being followed.

This study can be used by dental practices to review their infection-control procedures and how patients perceive them. Dentists may decide to implement some of these procedures, especially those that are not required, and that improve customer satisfaction.