Hygiene in dental practices

The aim of this study was to investigate the hygienic quality of dental practices on the basis of the self-awareness expressed by dentists respondents to a self-reported questionnaire about the health/hygiene characteristics of practice, the knowledge of biologic/toxicological risk and the preventive procedures and devices improvments in professional practice. Materials and methods: of the 127 practitioners contacted, 108 (85%) agreed to partecipate. The knowledge of infective risks was self-evaluated as “good” only in 24%: even if vaccinated, most of the dentists (57%) considered HBV the main infective agent to fear, not giving the same importance to the air-borne transmission of disease. The presence of a single dental unit per surgery (90%) was considered an index of good health-hygen education but, inspite of the use of disposable glows, caps and masks, the dentists do not always change thei coats or wash their hands between patience yet. The management of dental instruments can be considered efficient as long as they are sterilised in an autoclave (97%) and undergo periodic sterilization efficacy tests (76%). Results and conclusion The results indicate a good structural and organisational status, but there is the need for continuous education concerning the prevention of cross-infections.