Today I read a paper regarding nosocomial infection of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C among the patients treated in the dental clinics of a country.
To me, IT IS A VERY SERIOUS SUBJECT.
My question is - How many DENTAL CLINIC regularly uses every instruments taking out from sterilization pack in your area?
What percentage of DENTAL CLINICS are having functional sterilization facility (Autoclave/ Hot air oven) etc.?
If it is below 100%, then why those who are not having facility or practice of use of sterilized instruments are given license?
It is to spread various dangerous diseases (Hepatitis to HIV) among innocent patients/ people?
I want to hear from every conscious RG researchers.
I think almost all good DENTAL CLINICS are having functional sterilization facility and routinely use sterile instruments for the patients in our area. But the local dentist are not having this facility and thus are not following any sterilization practice. It is a matter of great concern.
I am following to know more on this interesting discussion. Thanks for the invitation.
Not sure in India , although my cousin is a HoD at KMC-Manipal... I am sure they have all the equipment for sterilization .
As far as clinics go , depends on the Doctors the ones I went from my child hood are excellent Doctors !!!
I have no idea but the USA, I believe it is 100% because they have to follow strict guidelines.
All clinics (dental, ophthalmology, etc.) and analysis laboratories and hospitals have sterilization devices, and health facilities, always, the problem may be individual, even with the presence of sterilization the doctor or health assistant is infected with influenza, for example,
The more relevant question is ’ How aware are practitioners of the risks of cross contamination brought on by blind faith in disposables or sterilized instruments?’
If you check YouTube as a source dental procedural styles as practiced world over you will (sadly) notice :
1. Most often the practitioner or assistant has inadequate personal protective attire ( full sleeves apron with a high neck/mask/head cap/ protective eyewear or shield & gloves)
2. Not all touch surfaces are wrapped with disposable wrapping ( light handle etc)
3. The instrument couplings are not wrapped or sit in a receptacle with instruments upright causing the socket to be permanently ‘infective’
4. Very rarely do you notice a chair design where the suction handpieces sit high above their sockets preventing socket contamination.
5. Most practitioners or assistants WILL touch cement bottles/ composite syringes/ light body dispensers /shade guides etc.,without adequate care to prevent cross infection
6. Lab work instrumentation like bowls/spatulas/the vibrator etc are not autoclaved or barrier wrapped although this isn’t impossible.
So the biggest risk is in practices like allowing a cell phone be your most faithful companion from the toilet to the theatre forgetting that one simple item like that breaks the code of hygiene required for true infection control.
All instrument packs and disposable have sterilization indicator strips. All sterilizers are checked weekly with spore tests. This is mandated by law.
As far as I know in India all good clinics observe strictly the sterilization.
Visually visiting is a different thing and you will see every stuff but their usage as per norms is question.
One of my knowns inherited hepatititis from one of best known dental clinics on North India.
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