Simplified cross-infection control: a study of cost, time and patient flow in Antigua

This study was designed to assess the factors, such as cost of imported dental materials, time spent on cross-infection control procedures and the limited number of dental instruments, that determine the suitability of cross-infection control methods in a government dental clinic in a developing country. During the 6-month study period, 510 adult patients received extraction treatment, the mean treatment time for each patient being 8-9 min. In each session, it was found that every 1-1 1/2 hours, instruments had to be autoclaved again for the treatment of further patients, but patient-flow was maintained. Between patients, a hand washing time of 20-25 s with chlorhexidine was recorded. Every 1 1/2-2 hours a new pair of gloves had to be used. Work surfaces were disinfected with either 1 per cent chlorine or 2 per cent glutaraldehyde. Extraction of 22 teeth per session was completed within the available working time of 3-3 1/2 hours at a cost for materials of US 50 cents per patient. These cross-infection control procedures were deemed suitable for use in the Government Dental Clinic.