INFECTION-CONTROL IN THE ORTHODONTIC OFFICE IN CANADA

Because of the difficulty of identifying infected persons, current rec ommendations for infection control are to treat all patients as if the y are infected with blood-borne pathogens such as human immunodeficien cy virus (HIV) and the hepatitis viruses. Dentists' compliance with th ese recommendations has been investigated previously, however, there a re few data related to orthodontists. The objective of this study was to measure the proportion of orthodontists who report the use of recom mended infection control procedures and to compare the infection contr ol practices of orthodontists and general dentists. A mailed survey wi th three follow-up attempts was administered to all orthodontists and general dentists in Ontario (N = 5441) in 1994. There were significant differences in the routine use of gloves (orthodontists 85%, general dentists 92%); masks (orthodontists 38%, general dentists 75%); protec tive eyewear (orthodontists 60%, general dentists 84%); changing glove s after each patient (orthodontists 84%, general dentists 96%); and he at sterilization of handpieces (orthodontists 57%, general dentists 84 %). Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination of all clinical staff was repo rted by 46% of orthodontists, compared with 61% of general dentists (p < 0.001). Reports of HBV vaccination of orthodontists (94%) and gener al dentists (92%) were not significantly different. The use of additio nal precautions for patients with HIV was reported by 80% of orthodont ists and 78% of general dentists, More education is required to promot e the use of universal precautions by both general practitioners and o rthodontists. Increased use of barrier methods, HBV vaccination of cli nical staff, and heat sterilization of handpieces is required to reduc e the potential for cross infection in the orthodontic practice. This is particularly important with the increasing number of microorganisms that are resistant to antibiotics.