Cross-infection compliance of UK dental staff and students.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of the study were to determine the compliance of a group of dental health care workers and students in aspects of cross-infection control.


METHODS
The dentists and dental students working in a dental clinic were observed by a 'hidden' ceiling-mounted video camera. Procedures were recorded onto videotape and the actions of the observed clinicians and students assessed by two suitably qualified assessors.


METHODS
An emergency Oral Medicine clinic in a dental hospital.


METHODS
Seventy nine dentists and 35 dental undergraduates.


METHODS
The action of staff and students were recorded on videotape and assessed retrospectively.


METHODS
Degree of compliance with recognised infection control policies.


RESULTS
Compliance with recommended guidelines for control of cross-infection was poor. In only 56% of health care worker-patient contacts were protective gloves changed between patients. Facemasks and protective eyewear were only worn in 38% and 29% of such contacts respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Compliance with cross-infection control measures are poor in dentistry--even when clinicians are provided with appropriate facilities.
Porter
S R
SR
Department of Oral Medicine, Eastman Dental Institute for Oral Health Care Sciences, London, UK.
El-Maaytah
M
M
Alfonso
W
W
Scully
C
C
Leung
T
T
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003740:Dental Clinics; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology; D005135:Eye Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005932:Gloves, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008397:Masks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology; D006113:United Kingdom; D016635:Universal Precautions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*