Infection control knowledge attitudes and practices of dental practitioners in Kampala

Sterilization and personal protection procedures are extremely important in dental offices because infections such as hepatitis, HIV, tuberculosis can be passed on to the health care worker or the patient during treatment. Thus, sterilization and personal protection procedures are extremely important in dental offices. The aim of the present study was to evaluate awareness of infection control procedures among dental practitioners in Kampala. In this descriptive study, 50 dental practitioners working in clinics and public hospitals with in Kampala City Council Authority were selected. Data were collected by means of an interviewer-administered questionnaire, which included respondents’ personal profile and questions on infection control and sterilization. There were no statistically significant differences in the level of knowledge between male and female care providers and between dental surgeons and public health dental officers. However, male care providers were more likely to take extra care when treating persons with HIV [difference 0.33; 95% confidence interval (CI):0.06 0.62 p=0.002]. Only 12% of respondents reported that all their staffs were vaccinated against HBV. Unfortunately fifty 50% of the subjects engaged in some form of needle recapping. The results of this study show that dental practitioners neglect the principles for personal protection and cross-infection control, whether this is due to lack of knowledge or unsupportive environment. Means must be designed so as to enforce knowledge attainment and practice.