Compliance to recommended infection control procedures: changes over six years among British Columbia dentists

Over the last decade, in response to the heightened awareness of HBV and HIV infections, world health authorities have produced specific infection control recommendations for dental practices. Surveys have been done in various countries to investigate the level of compliance to these recommendations. This paper reports on the changes in compliance over a six year period among British Columbia dentists, as indicated from four volunteer surveys conducted between 1987 and 1993. During that period, the percentage of dentists who reported taking a medical history for each new patient increased from 70 per cent to 99 per cent. The routine use of gloves increased from 61 per cent to 95 per cent, and of face masks from 49 per cent to 83 per cent. In 1993, most dentists (91 per cent) used a new pair of gloves with each patient, up from 62 per cent three years earlier. Dentists also reported on their sterilization and hygiene methods. Autoclavable handpieces were used by 66 per cent of respondents in 1990, and by 74 per cent in 1993. High-speed autoclavable handpieces were used by 83 per cent of dentists in 1993, but only 62 per cent sterilized these handpieces. Similarly, 65 per cent reported using low-speed autoclavable handpieces, but only 47 per cent sterilized them. It is apparent that disinfection of handpieces and intraoral instruments is still an important part of regular operatory hygiene. Biologic monitors were used by 61.6 per cent of respondents to test the efficiency of their office sterilizer in 1993.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)