Infection control in the dental office: has anything changed?
Using data collected in two studies, the authors compare infection control practices used in dental offices in 1988 and 1992. During that time, dentists increased their use of barrier protection but still asked and learned very little about their patients. This lack of communication hinders dentists' ability to deliver the best care possible. The authors recommend that dentists improve communication with their patients to obtain better information about their health status.
Hazelkorn
H M
HM
Program in Dental Public Health, Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health East (M/C 923), University of Illinois at Chicago 60612-7259, USA.
Bloom
B E
BE
Jovanovic
B D
BD
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003142:Communication; D003770:Dental Offices; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000639:trends*; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011482:Protective Devices; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior