title: Awareness of risk of cross-infection and infection-control measures among patients attending University Dental Hospital, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to assess awareness of the risk of cross-infection and infection-control measures practiced in dental clinics for patients attending the outpatient dental department (OPD) at University Dental Hospital, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 427 patients who attended the OPD clinics at University Dental Hospital. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data, and chi-squared-test of association was applied where appropriate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most patients (75.2%) were aware that there was a chance of infection transmission during dental treatments, and nearly 72% stated that wearing gloves and masks by their dentists was important during dental treatment. Awareness was higher among patients with a higher educational level. Participants revealed their fear of potential transmission of blood-borne pathogens in the dental setting. Awareness of sterilization of dental instruments was poor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The public should be made aware of the possible risks of cross-infection and the importance of infection-control practices in dental clinics. Dental professionals should fill the information gap.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Dilini
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8749-707X
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ratnayake
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Sumudu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Medawela
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Ruwan
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8054-4301
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jayasinghe
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Sumedha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jayathilake
authors.affiliation: Oral Health Unit, Family Health Bureau, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Dileep
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: de Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Mohaideen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sitheeque
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001364:Awareness; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003428:Cross Infection; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care / Q000009:adverse effects; D003740:Dental Clinics; D003762:Dental Instruments / Q000382:microbiology; D003815:Dentists; D005260:Female; D017575:Gloves, Protective; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D008297:Male; D008397:Masks; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk; D013188:Sri Lanka; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: air-borne infection; blood-borne pathogen; cross-infection; dentistry; infection control