Problematic issues of registration and recording of healthcare-associated infections among dental patients

Currently, there are problems in the registration and accounting of infections associated with healthcare (HAI), including in dental institutions. In this regard, the aim of the study was to analyze HAI in dental organizations. The conducted retrospective epidemiological analysis of HAI showed that in the Republic of Tatarstan, the cumulative incidence rate of all nosological forms of HAI in patients in 2023 was 0.32 per 1000 patients. In the context of medical organizations, the largest contribution to the incidence of HAI was made by maternity institutions, the proportion of which amounted to an average of 61 ± 0.1 %, 95 % CI [56–65.4]. In second place in terms of incidence are outpatient clinics — the average indicator is 23.2 ± 11.7 %, 95 % CI [14.8–31.5], which also include dental institutions. However, no separate accounting of HAI is conducted in dental institutions. A high proportion of unsatisfactory results of laboratory control of the external environment of medical organizations with a dental profile was revealed, the main ones of which were revealed during quality control of preparation of disinfectant solutions, the proportion of which amounted to an average of 0.54±0.8, 95 % CI [0.03–0.06]. The number of unsatisfactory samples of sterility control of medical devices also has high rates — 0.4±0.35, 95 % CI [0.12–0.6]. The results of the sanitary and epidemiological survey of acute viral hepatitis C foci, presumably associated with the provision of dental care, revealed the risks of infection of both patients and medical personnel associated with violations of sanitary legislation, most of which concern the disinfection and sterilization regime and handling of class B waste. In particular, according to the results of laboratory studies, coliform bacteria were found in swabs from environmental objects. The analysis revealed many risks of HAI in dental institutions, especially private ones, the solution of which helps to ensure the epidemiological safety of dental care.