Factors affecting infection control measures performed by dental workers

An understanding of self-protection related factors is important for dental infection control. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with personal self-protection in infection control among dental care workers.

A cross-sectional survey with self-report questionnaire was conducted between Jan and Dec, 2018.275 dentists and 298 dental assistants were enrolled from randomly selected dental care settings.

Compliance with wearing hair caps, facial masks, and hand washing is not as high as oral masks and gloves (over 90%). For dentists, the level of clinical setting (aOR = 3.1, P < 0.001) and the correct use of disinfectants for impression materials (aOR = 2.0, P < 0.05) were associated with hair cap wearing. Gender (aOR = 0.15, P < 0.05) and correct use of indicator during sterilization (aOR = 2.9, P < 0.05) were associated with facial mask wearing. The correct use of indicator during sterilization (aOR = 2.4, P < 0.05) and disinfection for impression materials (aOR = 2.2, P < 0.05) were associated with hand washing. For dental assistants, longer work experience (aOR = 1.05, P < 0.05), working days (aOR = 1.82, P < 0.05), the correct use of disinfectants for impression materials (aOR = 2.4, P < 0.001), and the frequent use of gloves (aOR = 8.0, P < 0.05) were associated with facial mask wearing. The surface disinfection of working tables (aOR = 2.8, P < 0.001) and the frequent changing of gloves (aOR = 5.96, P < 0.05) were associated with hand washing.

Gender, the length of work practice, and correct techniques for sterilization use were identified as major factors associated with compliance with self-protection in infection control among dental care workers.