Infection Control Practices at the Dental Clinics in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to determine the rate of compliance of infection control and estimate the incidence of COVID-19 in dental clinics in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an ecological correlational study of randomly sampled dental clinics in the city of Jeddah. The 32-question survey used in the study was constructed based on the infection control guidelines/protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic released by the ADA, CDC, and SMOH. A sample of clinics from a dental clinic list in Jeddah city, using a simple random technique. RESULTS: Fifty-three dental clinics consented to participate in our study, while ten refused. Most of the dental clinics checked their patients’ temperature (30.2%) and strictly required them to wear a surgical mask before entering the clinic (58.5%). Glove, gown, and face mask were the most common methods of infection control used during all dental procedures (98.1%, 96.2%, and 94.3%, respectively). Moreover, the incidence of COVID-19 was the highest among receptions/security (18.70%), followed by nurses (14.3%) and dentists (11.79%). CONCLUSION: As the incidence of COVID-19 among dental staff will continue to increase in the future, it is highly recommended that infection control guidelines are followed in all dental clinics.