Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to investigate knowledge, attitude, and practices relative to infection control measures in private dental clinics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Abha, Saudi Arabia.
Materials and Methods: The study will be conducted using a survey questionnaire including questions on various aspects of routine infection control measures in dental clinics. Questionnaires will be sent via social media networks to assess dentists' knowledge, attitude, and practices of infection control measures. Questionnaires with less than 90% of completed answers will be excluded. The data were entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 20). Chisquare test will be used in bivariate analysis to assess differences in infection control knowledge, attitude, and practice according to gender, qualification (general practitioner versus specialist), geographic location of practice, and years of experience.
Results: In this cross-section study, the participants includes 285 males (73.1%) and 105 females (26.9%), were evaluated. The distribution of participants according to age. Autoclave seems to be the preferred means of sterilization (93%); approximately 71.5% of the participants reported heat sterilization of endodontic files and burs (71.1%). Instruments were immersed in decontaminant solutions mainly prior to washing (53.1%). Nearly half (55.1%) of the surveyed dentists applied impermeable barriers on clinical contact surfaces. Routine wiping of working surfaces with surface disinfectant was reported by 88% of the respondents.
Conclusions: This research concludes the implementation of particular standard precautions is highly practiced, the overall compliance is good. While the implementation of particular standard precautions is highly practiced, the overall compliance is good. CDE requirements and workshops are mandatory for dentist to improve their knowledge and skills.