The unique nature of dental procedures, instrumentation and patient care settings
require specific strategies directed at the prevention of transmission of diseases
among oral health care workers and their patients.
Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice
of infection control among dentists and dental auxiliaries in public dental clinics in
Khartoum State, Sudan.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a structured administered
questionnaire was carried out. The questionnaire consisted of 38 closed-ended
questions that included the key areas of infection control including hand hygiene,
personal protection, sterilization and disinfection and environmental infection control.
There were also questions to elicit perceptions regarding the treatment of HBV and
HIV/AIDS patients.
Results: All except one (n=125) of the oral health personnel in Khartoum State
participated in the study. 68 dentists and 57 dental assistants were interviewed. The
majority were female (60.8%) and 31-40 year olds the predominant age group (44%)
for both genders.
Hand washing before and after treating each patient was reported by 89.6%. Among
dentists, 84.8% reported that they take the medical history of every patient. A quarter
of the dentists and 36.8% of dental assistants reported using both hands to recap the
used needles. 84%were vaccinated against hepatitis B. With regard to personal
protection, the highest adherence was reported for glove use (99.2%), and the least for
eye protection (45.6%). None of the study participants used plastic barriers to cover
the clinical contact surfaces, 61.6% did not high vacuum suction and 97.6% did not
use the rubber dam. All respondents used autoclaves for sterilization, but only
7.2%sterilized hand pieces. 72.8%reported that they did not mind treating HIV/AIDS
and hepatitis B patients; however, dental assistants were more willing to treat them
than the dentists.