EVALUATION OF INFECTION CONTROL KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES AMONG DENTAL TECHNICIANS IN IASI

Abstract

The dental technicians are exposed to a potential risk for infection transmission during the professional activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of dental technicians towards the methods used to prevent infection transmission in the dental laboratories in Iaşi. Methods: A questionnaire-based study was initiated involving 68 technicians aged between 24 and 49 years. The 14 questions were related to infection control attitudes and implemented specific measures. Data were analyzed using SPSS 14 system and Chi-Square test (p<0.05). Results: 40,6% of technicians , mainly females (50,0%) , consider the risk of infection transmission in the dental laboratory to be moderate and 37,5% consider this risk to be low. 47% of respondents always wear protective gloves, most females (50%) and technicians with 3-5 years of work experience (66,7%). Disinfection of items leaving the dental laboratory is performed regularly by 81,3% of respondents. Hands hygiene is accomplished before donning gloves (15,8%) and after removing gloves (22,3%). 84,0% of the study participants reported that they always wear protective eyeglasses. Surface disinfection is performed regularly by 16,3% of the subjects. The technicians are vaccinated at a rate of 38% for HBV. Conclusions. The awareness and knowledge of dental technicians must be increased by educational interventions in order to prevent infection transmission and to increase the level of safety during the oral health care.

Keywords

• Dental technician
• education
• infection control