Preventive attitudes towards infection transmission in dental offices in North-East Romania.

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge and the current attitudes towards infection control in the dental offices in the Northeast Romania. MATERIAL AND METHODS Questionnaire-based study conducted on 152 dentists aged between 25-65 years practicing in 6 Northeast Romania counties. The questionnaire included questions related to current infection control procedures and attitudes. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 14.0 and chi-square test (p<0.05). RESULTS The majority of the dentists (83.6%) consider that universities should provide a substantial education regarding infection control through postgraduate courses, but 7.2% of the respondents are not sure about their usefulness. The clinical decision related to patient's treatment is influenced by his infectious status for 67.8% of the dentists. Of these, 19.1% have over 20 years of practice and 48.0% are females. Almost all dentists (93.4%), regardless of gender (96.4% females and 87.8% males) undergo periodic testing for blood-borne viral infections (hepatitis B, C and HIV). Full protective equipment is used for all the patients by 86.2% of the dentists, while 12.5% use it only for the infectious ones. 65.2% of the dentists use steam sterilization equipment (autoclave), and 80,8% use dry heat. The majority of the dentists (82.6%) believe that the patient must always be informed about the adopted infection control measures, but 21.7% declare to do so only in some particular cases. CONCLUSIONS Dentists knowledge and attitudes towards infection control must be improved by educational interventions in order to adhere to the European standards.