Infection prevention and control in dental surgeries in the Pará state prison system in Brazil.
Prison populations have higher levels of bloodborne viruses with consequently higher risks of cross-infection. This study assessed infection prevention and occupational hazards in prison dental surgeries in the Brazilian state of Pará. Investigations were undertaken by a single examiner in 11 prison clinics. Manual washing of instruments with no detergents and dry heat sterilization were the main instrument decontamination methods used. Most surgeries had insufficient instruments for daily clinical work requirements. Half of dentists interviewed worked single-handed with no documented policies or health and safety procedures.
Department of Public Health, Research Center, São Leopoldo Mandic School of Dentistry, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Clelia Maria A
CM
Lima
Infection Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Glasgow Dental Hospital, School, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Andrew J
AJ
Smith
Department of Integrated Dental Clinic, Research Center, São Leopoldo Mandic School of Dentistry, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Almenara S
AS
Fonseca Silva
Department of Public Health, Research Center, São Leopoldo Mandic School of Dentistry, Campinas, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: flaviaflorio@yahoo.com.
Flávia M
FM
Flório
Department of Public Health, Research Center, São Leopoldo Mandic School of Dentistry, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Luciane
L
Zanin
D001938:Brazil; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011330:Prisons
Instrument cleaning; Instrument sterilization; Occupational hazards; Working conditions