Cross-infection control in dental practice in the Republic of Ireland

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the infection control procedures used in general dental practices in the Republic of Ireland. Design: Postal survey. Setting: The Republic of Ireland. Participants: 250 general dental practices. Methods: Postal questionnaire. Main outcome measures: Use of infection control procedures; gloves, masks, sterilisation of instruments, staff training. Results: A 74% response rate (n = 177), with 162 wearing gloves for all patients, 97% of whom used latex gloves. Routine glove use by 69% of dental nurses. Approximately one third of respondents complained of hand skin irritation attributed to the wearing of latex gloves. Routine mask wearing during treatment was reported by 68% of respondents. The method of choice for sterilising instruments was the steam autoclave for 97%. Time spent on surgery cleaning between patients was less than one minute in 12 per cent of practices. Conclusions: Cross-infection control procedures practised by a high proportion of the respondents to the survey conform to guidelines suggested by various authorities. Further education may be appropriate in a number of areas such as mask wearing and the need to change gloves between patients.