A COMPARISON OF INFECTION-CONTROL PRACTICES OF DIFFERENT GROUPS OF ORAL SPECIALISTS AND GENERAL DENTAL PRACTITIONERS

Objective. The purpose of this study was to compare the infection cont rol practices of general dentists and dental specialty groups. Methods . A survey was mailed to 5997 dentists in 1994; the response rate was 70%. The data were analyzed with multiple logistic regression (referen ce group: general dentists). Results. When sociodemographic influences were taken into consideration, significant predictors of routine infe ction control practices included all of the following characteristics (odds ratios are in parentheses): 1. Gloves: being younger than 40 yea rs of age (4.5) and being female (5.9). 2. Using gloves and changing g loves after each patient: being younger than 40 years of age (4.0), be ing female (3.0), being an oral surgeon (3.6), and being an orthodonti st (0.2). 3. Using gloves, masks, and protective eyewear: being younge r than 40 years of age (2.5), being female (2.3), and being an orthodo ntist, oral physician, or oral pathologist (0.2). 4. Hepatitis B vacci nation for the practitioner: being younger than 40 years of age (5.1). 5. Hepatitis B vaccination for all clinical staff members: being youn ger than 40 years of age (1.2), being an oral surgeon (1.7), and being an orthodontist (0.6). 6. Heat sterilization of handpieces: being you nger than 40 years of age (1.5), being an oral surgeon (5.4), and bein g an orthodontist (0.2). 7. Taking no additional precautions for patie nts with HIV: being younger than 40 years of age (1.7), being a period ontist (2.6), being a pedodontist (2.3), and being an oral physician/o ral pathologist (4.3). Conclusion. improved compliance with recommende d infection control procedures is required for all groups and is parti cularly necessary for orthodontists.