The infection control practices of general dental practitioners.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the infection control practices of general dentists in Ontario in 1994.


METHODS
Confidential coded questionnaires were mailed to all general dental practitioners in Ontario (n = 5,176), with three follow-up attempts. Data were analyzed using Pearson's chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression.


METHODS
Offices of general dental practitioners in Ontario.


METHODS
General dental practitioners actively involved in treating patients.


RESULTS
The response rate adjusted for nondelivery was 70%. A high proportion of respondents reported using gloves (always, 91.8%; sometimes, 7.8%), masks (always, 74.8%; sometimes, 21.1%), or protective eyewear (always, 83.6%; sometimes, 13%); heat sterilization of handpieces (83.9%); and hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination of dentists (92.3%). However, only 61.4% of respondents reported HBV vaccination of all clinical staff, and 87.7% used additional precautions for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Significant predictors of the use of recommended infection control procedures (i.e., always using gloves, masks, and eye protection; heat sterilization of handpieces; HBV vaccination for dentist and staff; and no extra precautions for patients with HIV) were age < 40 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.6), lack of concern regarding increased personal risk (OR, 2.0) or costs of infection control procedures (OR, 1.5), and knowledge of the low infectivity of HIV after a needlestick injury (OR, 2.0) and that infection control procedures for HBV are adequate for HIV (OR, 2.7).


CONCLUSIONS
Additional education is required to promote a more realistic perception of risk of HIV transmission in the dental office and the use of all recommended infection control practices, including Universal Precautions.
McCarthy
G M
GM
School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
MacDonald
J K
JK
D000328:Adult; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003729:Dental Care; D004203:Disinfection; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D011481:Protective Clothing; D013242:Sterilization; D016635:Universal Precautions
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines