Survey of Compliance of Infection Control Practices in Orthodontists

Pervasive increases in serious transmissible diseases over the last few decades have created global concern and impacted the treatment mode of all Indian health care practitioners. Aim of this survey was to assess the quality and adequacy of sterilization and disinfection procedures, measure the frequency of use of universal precautions, barrier techniques and vaccination and to detect any difference in infection control practices between a sample of orthodontists and dentists.

A questionnaire comprising of 24 questions covering information on practice profile, protective barriers used, sterilization and disinfection procedures used, immunization, occupational injuries, waste management was sent by mail and the survey was conducted on a sample of 150 general dentists and 70 orthodontists.

Comparing the use of universal precautions among orthodontists and general dentists significant difference was found in wearing of gloves, masks and protective eyewear and occupational injuries.

More education is required to promote the use of universal precautions, increased use of barrier methods, heat sterilization of handpieces and hand instruments, disinfection of work surfaces, vaccination of clinical staff to reduce cross- infection in orthodontic to insure a safe environment for orthodontist, patients, and staff members.