Barrier techniques to infection: a national survey of pediatric dentists

Pediatric dentists are at increasing risk of exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Therefore, a nationwide survey was conducted to describe pediatric dentists' use of barrier techniques and infection-control procedures and to identify factors that might impede their use. Questionnaires were mailed to a random sample of 1581 practicing pediatric dentists. Seven hundred fifty-two completed questionnaires were returned. Results showed that 95.3% of the respondents have changed some aspect of infection control during the past two years; 85.9% routinely wear gloves; 77.9% routinely wear protective glasses; and 45.6% routinely wear facemasks. Results also highlighted several problems created by the use of gloves and facemasks.