title: The assessment of infection control in dental practices in the municipality of São Paulo.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to evaluate the infection control measures actually implemented by dental surgeons during dental practice, as patients and professionals are exposed to high biological risk in dental care environments.
  
  
  METHODS
  614 questionnaires (90.69%) were answered by professionals registered in updating or in post-graduate courses in the Municipality of São Paulo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of surveyed professionals 30.62% admitted that surface protection barriers were not used, whereas 34.17% were using non ideal or outdated pre-disinfection practices. The autoclave was used by 69.38% of participants, although 33.80% were not monitoring control of the sterilization cycles. Chemical and biological indicators were not used simultaneously by 83.21% of respondents and were not employed on a daily or weekly basis by at least 81.75%. Dubious methods of sterilization were cited by 44.77%. Occupational accidents caused by cutting and piercing objects were reported by 47.88%; however, the biologic risk was underestimated by 74.15% of the professionals who suffered the accidents. Irritant solutions were used as an antiseptic agent by 18.55%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infection control measures reported by dental surgeons during their practices are deficient. It is necessary to educate, raise awareness of professionals, and promote constant updating courses on procedures which aim at improving safety of dental care.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Assistência Médica ao Servidor Público Estadual, Av. Ibirapuera 981, Sao Paulo, SP. dra.jkm@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jacqueline Kimiko
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Matsuda
authors.forename: Renato Satovschi
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Grinbaum
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Davidowicz
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019552:Infection Control, Dental / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult