Rate of Compliance with Hand Hygiene by Dental Healthcare Personnel (DHCP) within a Dentistry Healthcare First Aid Facility

Abstract

Objectives:To evaluate the compliance with the opportunities of hand hygiene by dentistry school healthcare professionals, as well as the higher choice products.Methods:Through direct observation, the oral healthcare team-professors, oral and maxillofacial surgery residents, graduation students-for daily care were monitored: before performing the first treatment of the shift, after snacks and meals, and after going to the bathroom (initial opportunities) as well as between patients’ care, and after ending the shift (following opportunities).Results:The professors’ category profited 78.4% of all opportunities while residents and graduation students did not reach 50.0% of compliance. Statistically significant data (P≤.05) were seen between categories: professors and residents, professors and graduation students, and between genders within the residents’ category. When opportunities were profited, the preferred choice for hand hygiene was water and soap (82.2%), followed by 70% alcohol (10.2%), and both (7.6%).Conclusions:Although gloves were worn in all procedures, we concluded that the hygiene compliance by these professionals was under the expectation.

Compliance with infection control practices in an university hospital dental clinic

“…HBV has demonstrated the ability to survive and remain infectious in dried blood on environmental surfaces for at least 1 week and probably longer [ 1 ], [ 20 ]. Therefore, dental procedures can introduce oral pathogens into the bloodstream or lymphatic system via direct hematogenous spread or aspiration, thereby causing various medical conditions including bacteremia, pneumonia, or infective endocarditis [ 21 ], [ 3 ].…”

“…It is also important to consider that the pathways of contamination are bi-directional: Both patients and dental health care personnel (DHCP) may be exposed to a number of pathogens through exposure to blood and saliva [ 1 ]. In addition, the hands of DHCP may serve as a reservoir for pathogens [ 2 ], including multi-resistant strains [ 3 ]. Infection control forms an important part of practice for all health care professions and remains one of the most cost-beneficial medical interventions available [ 4 ], [ 5 ].…”

Attitudes and practices of infection control among senior dental students at college of dentistry, university of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates

“…Similar to our findings de-Amorim-Finzi et al (2010) reported only 45% compliance of hand hygiene among the graduation students. [15] The low compliance with regular hand washing necessitates stricter measures to remind the students of the importance of hand washing. Hand washing signs can be placed near each basin in dental clinics since hand washing is a significant element in infection control.…”

Hand hygiene practices in a dental teaching center: Measures and improve

“…Indeed, a recent review (WHO, 2009) reported an average compliance of 38.7% with a baseline ranging from 5% to 89%. These results are inferior than many studies conducted for dental healthcare workers in countries such as Africa (25% before glowing and 47% after),[ 7 8 ] Italy (55.5%),[ 13 ] Canada (76%),[ 14 ] USA (75%)[ 22 ], Khartoum state (44%),[ 15 ] United Kingdom (26–63%). [ 23 ] Moreover, it is important to distinguish between studies undertaken in teaching and nonteaching centers, when comparing results.…”

“…Some data on dentists’ knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding HH are available in Nigeria,[ 7 ] South Africa,[ 8 ] Iran,[ 9 10 ] Jordan,[ 11 ] Brazil,[ 12 13 ] Canada,[ 14 ] Soudan,[ 15 ] United Kingdom,[ 16 17 ] Germany,[ 18 19 ] United Arab Emirates,[ 20 ] Iran[ 21 ] and United States. [ 22 ] Investigators used questionnaire,[ 7 9 10 12 18 20 22 ] direct observation[ 13 15 16 17 ] and rarely questionnaire associated with direct observation. [ 8 11 19 ] The majority of the authors concluded that there is a lack of knowledge among dentists regarding the correct agents to use and the appropriate times and sequences to HH.…”