Israeli dentists: a survey of infection control office practices and care of medically compromised patients

A survey was conducted by interviewing a randomly selected sample of practicing dentists in Israel in 1991. The aim of this study was to evaluate methods of infection control in current use and to learn about the access to care for medically compromised patients. One hundred seventeen dentists were interviewed. This group represented a majority of graduates from Israeli schools (66). With respect to infection control, only 28% of the population surveyed routinely uses gloves, but 43% use steam autoclave, and 70% use dry-heat sterilization. A very high percentage (87%) took a verbal medical history, while a small minority (27%) had their patients fill out a written questionnaire. Only occasionally was the name of the patient's physician requested or recorded, implying a flaw in interprofessional communications. Only 26% of the dentists said they would treat patients with hepatitis and/or AIDS. Only about half the dentists accepted patients on chemotherapy or radiotherapy or those who were taking anticoagulant drugs. Physical access for dental patients in wheelchair or stretcher was markedly limited, with referral to regional hospitals the routine for these patients.