CROSS-INFECTION CONTROL PRACTICES IN PROSTHODONTICS AMONG UNDEGRADUATE STUDENTS, GRADUATES AND POST-GRADUATE STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine practices of cross infection control in prosthodontics among undergraduate students, graduates and post-graduate students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among dental undergraduate students, graduates and post-graduate students in in the Department of Prosthodontics, Khyber College of dentistry, Peshawar, over a period of three months i.e. from March to May 2018. A close- ended questionnaire was administered to a sample of 217 participants. The response showed that protective devices (PPDs) like gloves and masks were used by most of the participants. Students were highly aware of standard infection control measures (82.5%). However, individuals never washed their hands before putting on gloves (33.6%) and dental impressions (72.8%), casts (80.6%), prostheses (56.2%), shade tabs (71.9%) and prosthetic instruments (58.1 %) were never disinfected/sterilized by subjects prior to their use. Individuals were not immunized against infectious diseases like Hepatitis-B in 29.5% of the reported sample. This study will help us to focus on areas of deficiencies and to cover the gap between knowledge and infection control practice by motivating the students to strictly adhere to infection control measures.