CROSS-INFECTION CONTROL - THE ROLE OF IN-TRAINING DENTAL NURSES

Objectives: This paper reports the findings of a study on the roles of dental nurses in cross-infection control in general dental practices and who were undergoing training for their initial certificate. The re search aimed to find out what factors in their vocation gave them sati sfaction, what caused stress and the bearing of these factors on cross -infection control. The study complemented previous research on the sa me matters carried out face-to-face in dental practices and aimed to t est the validity of this previous research. Methods: The study was mad e anonymously by means of self-administered questionnaires completed b y respondents attending evening classes. Results: Sixty per cent of re spondents reported suffering anxiety in their work, the list of causes being headed by lack of experience, language barriers and taking part in general anaesthetic sessions. A third thought their workload was t oo great and a third quoted lack of time as the reason for not always completing cross-infection control procedures. Half were worried about cross-infection control. Clinical work was the most, and adequate pay the least important of five factors that gave respondents satisfactio n in their work. Respondents always welcomed a word of thanks from the ir dentists and relied on them for information about their tasks. Conc lusions: In order to carry out their work thoroughly, uncertificated d ental nurses need sufficient time. They benefit from support and encou ragement from their dentist. These are important factors in cross-infe ction control so that stress is prevented and job satisfaction enhance d. Our two studies validate each other. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Sc ience Ltd.