title: Compliance with infection prevention and control in oral health-care facilities: a global perspective.
abstract: Many publications are available on the topic of compliance with infection prevention and control in oral health-care facilities all over the world. The approaches of developing and developed countries show wide variation, but the principles of infection prevention and control are the same globally. This study is a systematic review and global perspective of the available literature on infection prevention and control in oral health-care facilities. Nine focus areas on compliance with infection-control measures were investigated: knowledge of infectious occupational hazards; personal hygiene and care of hands; correct application of personal protective equipment; use of environmental barriers and disposable items; sterilisation (recirculation) of instruments and handpieces; disinfection (surfaces) and housekeeping; management of waste disposal; quality control of dental unit waterlines, biofilms and water; and some special considerations. Various international studies from developed countries have reported highly scientific evidence-based information. In developed countries, the resources for infection prevention and control are freely available, which is not the case in developing countries. The studies in developing countries also indicate serious shortcomings with regard to infection prevention and control knowledge and education in oral health-care facilities. This review highlights the fact that availability of resources will always be a challenge, but more so in developing countries. This presents unique challenges and the opportunity for innovative thinking to promote infection prevention and control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
authors.forename: Jeanné
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oosthuysen
authors.forename: Elsa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Potgieter
authors.forename: Annabel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fossey
mesh_terms: D003749:Dental Facilities; D019049:Developed Countries; D003906:Developing Countries; D004203:Disinfection; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D014943:Global Health; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D019552:Infection Control, Dental; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013242:Sterilization
keywords: Dentistry; compliance with guidelines; dental; infection control; oral health care