KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND AWARENESS OF PARENTS REGARDING THE IMPORTANCE OF BARRIER TECHNIQUES (USE OF GLOVES, MASKS & GOGGLES) BY THE PEDIATRIC DENTISTS AT PRINCE HASHEM MILITARY HOSPITAL, JORDAN

Abstract

 The aim of this study was to assess the awareness and knowledge of parents regarding the importance of barrier techniques (gloves, masks, and goggles) by the pediatric dentists.

Three hundred fifty four parents, 185 females (52.3%) and 169 males (47.7%) who visited the Pediatric Dental Clinic of Prince Hashem Ben AL Hussein Hospital in the east of Amman formed the study group. The study period was eight months (15 April 2016 to 15 December 2016). The parents were selected randomly to fill the questionnaire about the age, gender and the knowledge about utilized barrier techniques by the pediatric dentists. The age of the parents ranged from 25-50 years.

96.2% parents wanted the pediatric dentists to wear gloves during dental treatment, while 95.8% of them felt that mouth mask should be used and 87.3% wanted the dentist to wear the goggles. However, 77.1% of the participants believed that gloves protect both the dentist and patient from transmission of infection. 89.8% of the parents had chosen the dentist who changed their gloves between patients. Furthermore, 61.9% of the study group thought that the purpose of wearing gloves was to prevent transmission of infection from patients to other patients. 88.1% wanted the dental assistant to wear gloves when helping the dentist. 96.2% of the parents were satisfied by the precautions taken.

High level of perception, interest and awareness of the parents in this study group regarding the use of barrier technique by pediatric dentists was noticed. The majority of the participants believed that the wearing of barrier technique during dental treatment protect the dentist and their patients from transmission of infectious disease.