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Cross-infection control in dental practice in the Republic of Ireland
H P Kearns1, F J Burke, S W Cheung
1University of Birmingham School of Dentistry, St. Chad's Queensway, Birmingham B4 6NN, UK.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to examine the infection control procedures used in general dental practices in the Republic of Ireland.
Design:
Postal survey.
Setting:
The Republic of Ireland.
Participants:
250 general dental practices.
Methods:
Postal questionnaire.
Main Outcome Measures:
Use of infection control procedures; gloves, masks, sterilisation of instruments, staff training.
Results:
A 74% response rate (n = 177), with 162 wearing gloves for all patients, 97% of whom used latex gloves. Routine glove use by 69% of dental nurses. Approximately one third of respondents complained of hand skin irritation attributed to the wearing of latex gloves. Routine mask wearing during treatment was reported by 68% of respondents. The method of choice for sterilising instruments was the steam autoclave for 97%. Time spent on surgery cleaning between patients was less than one minute in 12 per cent of practices.
Conclusions:
Cross-infection control procedures practiced by a high proportion of the respondents to the survey conform to guidelines suggested by various authorities. Further education may be appropriate in a number of areas such as mask wearing and the need to change gloves between patients.
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