Awareness on Prevention of Blood Borne Diseases and Preventive Practices among Dental Practitioners of Some Selected Dental Clinics of Dhaka City
Dental Surgeons and health-care workers have always had a high risk of exposure to blood-borne diseases as a result of their occupation. Dental surgeons have substantial occupational exposure to blood and the risk of blood-borne infection because of frequent handling of sharp instruments, metal objects (e.g., wire), and bone fragments during operative procedures. Dentists must ensure they grasp the risk of communicable diseases. The aim of the study was to explore the level of awareness on prevention of blood borne diseases commonly transmitted during dental practice and examine the preventive practices by the dental practitioners.
METHODS:
Cross-sectional study with an integrated approach combining qualitative and quantitative method was followed. The study used Structured Interview (SI) among 200 Dentist in Dhaka City as quantitative tool and, 20 Indepth Interview as qualitative tool for achieving the objectives.
RESULTS:
The findings showed that most of the dentists are aware of the threat of spread of blood borne diseases during their practices but they do not avail all the necessary steps needed for prevention of transmission of blood borne diseases from the patients. Most of the dentist does not take history of blood transfusion and history of any past major or minor surgery from their patients. This can prevent them from doing a proper diagnosis and also pose a risk to them if the patient had any contamination during those procedures then they had become a carrier for any of the blood borne diseases.
CONCLUSIONS:
Most of the dentists are aware of the risk of exposure of blood borne diseases but they need to strengthen their preventive measures to cut down the chance of contracting the disease during practice.