Infection Control Knowledge and Practices among Dentists in the Outpatient Department of a Dental College Hospital

Background: Dental surgeons are vulnerable to infection caused by various microorganisms. The outpatient department is the most important place, as here come many infected patients, so there is a chance that the infection will spread very easily. Taking precautions to control infection in this department plays an important role to prevent spreading infections. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2020 to evaluate the infection prevention and control in Dhaka Dental College and Hospital. A convenient sampling technique was used, and data was collected from 209 dental surgeons. The sample was calculated using the Cochran formula for sample for calculation in a smaller population. All the questions of knowledge had been modified and developed from the Infection Prevention and Control National Guideline and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline in Dental Settings. All the questions regarding practice had been modified and developed from the World Health Organization Infection Control Guideline and 5 pillars of infection control practice. Results: Most respondents (52.2%) were in the 20–24-year age group, with an average age of 24.77 years (±1.250). Among the respondents, 51.4% of female dental surgeons had good knowledge in comparison to males, which was 48%. Among male respondents, only 51.0% had fair knowledge in comparison to female respondents, which was 48.6%. An association between the level of education and level of knowledge was statistically significant (X2 =10.168, p=0.006). Among the respondents 25.7% of post graduate had good knowledge. On the other hand, 54.6% graduate had good knowledge. Among 209 respondents, only 48.3% respondents were good ≥80% in infection control practices and significantly associate between knowledge level and practices level, p<0.05. Participants with good knowledge of infection control also demonstrated good practice scores. However, only 16.2% respondents scoring fair according to knowledge level but according to practice level each of them was poor about infection control practice. Among respondents practices score was significantly higher in female and in graduate than male and post-graduate. Conclusion: Study findings indicate that awareness and practice of current infection management among dental surgeons in this hospital was good and most likely right. Simple specific prevention measures can minimize the occurrence and prevalence of any infections.