A Study on Infection Control Practices among Dental Hygienists

Cho, Yoon Jung; Yoon, Seok-Jun; Ahn, Hyeong-Sik; Kim, Soonduck; Park, Hyeung-Keun

Journal of Korean Society Quality Assurance Health Care 2003;10(2): 190.
Published online December 30, 2003.

치과위생사의 감염관리 실태에 관한 연구

조윤정¹, 윤석준², 안형식², 김순덕², 박형근³

¹고려대학교 대학원 보건학협동과정
²고려대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실
³한국보건산업진흥원

A Study on Infection Control Practices among Dental Hygienists

Yoon Jung Cho¹, Seok-Jun Yoon², Hyeong-Sik Ahn², Soonduck Kim², Hyeung-Keun Park³

¹Postgraduate Studies of Public Health, Korea University
²Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University
³Korea Health Industry Development Institute

Abstract

Background
Dental hygienists are at risk of acquiring infections through exposure to infectious agents. This study explores the frequency of exposure to infectious agents and infection control practices among dental hygienists.
Methods
We undertook a cross-sectional survey to examine the exposure to infectious agents and infection control practices among dental hygienists through questionnaire. Data were obtained from 124 dental hygienists attending educational conferences. A multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the factors that effect infection control practices in relation to age, completion of infection control education, recognition of their own serum hepatitis Ag/Ab status, the number of one day patients, location of clinics, type of clinics, and career years.
Result
Of the 124 dental hygienists, 91.7% were exposed to at least one accident such as needle stick injuries during their practices periods. The health screening coverage rate in dental hygienists was 16.5%. The number of one day patients and career years were important in relation to infection control practices among dental hygienists. The adjusted odds ratio estimates for career years were 5.049 times greater(95% Cl 1.238-20.597) for groups with over 4 career years than under 2 career years. That for the number of one day patients were 0.261(95% Cl 0.071-0.955) lower for through 20 up to 30 patients, 0.531(95% Cl 0.102-2.78) lower for through 30 up to 40 patients and 0.498(95% Cl 0.123-2.017) lower for more than 40 patients than under 20 patients.
Conclusion
From these results, prevalence of infection control practices among dental hygienists is related to the number of one day patients and career years. Prevention of cross infection and reduction of future transmission should be a priority to dental hygienists for promotion of infection control and further efforts to educate newcomers on infection prevention should be made.

Key words Infection control;Dental hygienists;