The survey on the infection control of noncritical instruments used in dental treatment

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to evaluate the dentist's awareness and the actual status of infection control of noncritical dental instruments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 40 dental clinics in Daejeon, South Chungcheong, North Chungcheong and North Jeolla provinces were surveyed. The questionnaire was delivered to the dentists belonging to those clinics, and the awareness and the practice of infection control were examined. The microbial contamination on the surface of five noncritical instruments (impression gun, light curing unit, 3-way syringe, shade guide, and dental floss dispenser) used by them was measured with an ATP luminometer. Correlation analysis between the awareness and the actual state of infection control was conducted. RESULTS: Awareness and frequency of infection control was highest in the 3-way syringe. Surface disinfection using disinfectant was most frequent in all instruments. 3-way syringes and shade guides were less contaminated than impression guns, light curing units, and dental floss dispensers. CONCLUSION: 3-way syringes had a significant correlation between user awareness of infection control and surface contamination, and the higher awareness, the lower the contamination measurement was shown.