An Assessment of Knowledge & Perception among Undergraduate, Interns & Post graduate students of the Department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge from different colleges of West Bengal Towards Disinfection of Impression, Cast & Prosthesis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Infection control in dental practice is one of the most important factor for the treatment to be successful. Almost all of the dental procedures involve dealing with the saliva, blood and oral fluids which may have sufficient pathogens and cause cross infection through contaminated instruments, materials and surfaces. Therefore, the dental health care workers must be aware of the possible contamination and should follow the measures to prevent it. AIM: The aim of the study is to evaluate the knowledge, awareness and practice of the undergraduate students, interns and PGTs toward infection control measures during prosthodontic treatment with their future perception. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A self-assessment questionnaire-based survey was carried out among undergraduate students, interns and post graduate students of Dept. of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge of various dental colleges of West Bengal to assess the knowledge and perception of infection control. Survey containing questions were randomly distributed to 250 students regarding knowledge of infection control and the methods actually followed in practice from impression making to delivery of the prosthesis in dental colleges. The questionnaire was sent to all by email to be filled electronically. Data was collected and analysed. RESULTS: Out of 250 students 210  students (59.4% female and 40.6% male) responded to the questionnaire. Their awareness towards disinfecting the impression, cast or prosthesis was 100% and all the participated students are aware of the fact that corona virus may spread via saliva from patients to dental health care workers. Though most of the students (94.3 %) think it is mandatory to rinse the mouth before the impression making but they do not have proper knowledge about disinfectants i.e., glutaraldehyde, iodophor etc to be used for disinfecting the impression, cast and prosthesis. In regular practice in the clinics around 74.3% of them disinfect the cast before sending to the dental laboratory. CONCLUSION:  The knowledge about infection control during impression making is satisfactory among the students participated but there is a need to improve practice with disinfectants to minimize the cross contamination and the disease transmission and also reduce the associated morbidity for both patients and the dental practitioner. The attitude towards infection control measures is positive, but a greater practical approach is needed.