There are three groups of people directly involved in dental procedures – dentists, nurses and patients. It is the transfer of micro-organisms between these three groups, which results in cross infection. Since the fear of transmission of HIV and AIDS became prevalent, the public is now much more aware of infection control and its role in preventing the spread of diseases such as Hepatitis, TB and CJD. Armed with this knowledge, patient expectations are higher than ever before.
Case studies have shown that patients have not returned to a practice simply because of the lack of visible signs of infection control. This shows it is important not only that you implement a failsafe infection control policy, but that you are actually seen doing it by the patient. Providing effective infection control and making it visible ensures that your patients feel safe in your care and ultimately means that they won’t be looking elsewhere for their dental treatment.
There is an illuminating survey, carried out by Glasgow Dental Hospital, which illustrates patient perception of cross infection control in very clear terms. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 301 dental hospital and general practice patients in the Glasgow region to assess their perception and awareness of cross-infection preventive methods used in dentistry. Sixty per cent of the respondents were aware that dentists have been advised to wear gloves routinely, and a large majority thought the gloves were for the dentists’ own protection. Almost all the respondents did not mind the dentist wearing either gloves or masks during treatment. One third of the total population was ignorant about sterilisation methods used in dentistry. One half of the hospital patients and one third of the general practice patients thought that infectious diseases could be contracted via the dentist or his instruments. Although two in three of the respondents surmised that transmission of AIDS in the dental clinic is unlikely, one half of the general practice patients were unwilling to visit the dentist if the latter was known to treat patients with AIDS. This survey indicates that there is a great deal of confusion and fear among the public on cross-infection in the dental surgery, which needs to be rectified by a properly targeted health education campaign.
The British Dental Association’s advice sheet, developed in conjunction with the Department of Health, in line with current infection control policies in the NHS, gives a useful guide to the basics of infection control in dental practice. It condenses current knowledge and recommendations in a practical format to enable dental practitioners and their staff to use it as a quick and easy reference to infection prevention and control practices, and to inform their own local infection control policies.
It contains an introduction on the importance of infection control policy and practice, and general information on routine procedures, and patient issues such as perception and confidentiality.
There are chapters which include:
• Infection control in dentistry – training, surgery design, choice of equipment, decontamination, cleaning, specialist equipment, disposal of clinical waste blood spillage and specimen handling.
• Personal protection – immunisation, hand protection, eye protection and face masks, surgery clothing, aerosol/saliva/blood spatters, inoculation injuries.
• Emerging infections – TSE’s, MRSA, Tuberculosis.
• An infection control policy checklist.
• Useful website addresses and sources of further information.
Given the findings in the Glasgow survey, it’s clearly of the utmost importance that your patients feel your practice is 100 per cent safe for them to attend.
There are a number of products now available which make it easier than ever for a practice to adopt a successful infection control policy. Riskontrol tips, from Acteon, for air/water syringes are contemporary looking and help protect the practice team and patients. There are four styles of disposable tip for you to choose from – Art, Classic, Sterile and Total Protec – in nine colours and five fragrances. The Digora Optime intraoral imaging plate system is also has advantages in terms of infection control, as it can be operated without touching the unit at all. It also has minimal openings and is very easy to keep clean. With the protective covers, imaging plates don’t need to be touched, while the addition of hygiene bags minimises the possibility of cross-contamination.
When it comes to infection control don’t be subtle. Give each new patient a copy of your infection control procedure and show them the technologies you’re using to protect both them and the clinical team. Aside from allaying their fears, this can be a real practice building exercise.