Abstract

Research Article

Infection Control Mechanisms Employed by Dental Laboratories to Prevent Infection of their Dental Technicians/Technologists

Kilimo C Sammy* and Simiyu N Benjamin

Published: 30 November, 2016 | Volume 1 - Issue 1 | Pages: 001-011

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the compliance to infection control of various dental laboratories in Durban.

Study design: This was a qualitative survey.

Setting: Dental laboratories in Durban area, South Africa.

Subject: Registered laboratory technicians.

Study methodology: Convenient random sampling method was used.

Results: There was poor compliance to infection control procedures by most dental laboratories. Majority, 66.67%, of the dental laboratories relied on dental clinics for disinfection of dental impressions; therefore, they did not disinfect the impressions. On the other hand, only 33.33% carried out disinfection of dental impressions on their own. A high number (53.3%) of the respondents had disinfection areas within their dental laboratories, 6.7% had no disinfection areas while 40% depended upon dental clinics for all disinfections. About 60% of the dental technicians had valid vaccinations against Hepatitis B Virus while 40% had no vaccination against HBV.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that there was substantial nonconformity to infection control measure in all dental laboratories. There should be comprehensive inspection of dental laboratories prior to licensing and thereafter by the South African Dental Technician Council’s inspectors to ensure that all dental laboratories comply with the various infection control measures.

Read Full Article HTML DOI: 10.29328/journal.johcs.1001001 Cite this Article Read Full Article PDF

Keywords:

Infection Control; Dental Laboratory Technicians; Dental Laboratories; Dental Impressions

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