Knowledge and Practice of Kerman Dentists about Infection Control in Digital Radiography

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Infection control is essential for a safe clinical environment during patients’ treatment in dentistry. Transmission of the infection can occur due to contact with patients’ saliva and blood in radiology clinics. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge and practice of dentists in Kerman about infection control in digital radiology. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 162 dentists who worked either in private office or clinic or both. The samples were selected through simple sampling method. Data were collected through demographic data, and valid and reliable questionnaire consisted of 7 questions about knowledge and 12 questions about practice on infection control in digital radiology. Data were analyzed in SPSS 26 software using T, ANOVA, and linear regression tests. The p value was considered at 0.05% significant level. RESULTS: 86(53.1%) of participants were men and 76 (46.9%) were female. The mean age of participants and work experience were 36.32±8.88 and 11.03±8.53 years, respectively. The mean and standard deviation of knowledge, practice, and total were 5.20±1.26, 7.98±2.00, and 13.22±2.72, respectively. There was a positive significant correlation between knowledge with age of participants (p= 0.009). There was also a direct significant correlation between knowledge and practice with work experience (p= 0.045 and p= 0.01 respectively). CONCLUSION: Knowledge and practice of dentists in Kerman about infection control in digital radiology were good and medium respectively. However, there was a direct significant correlation between knowledge and practice of dentists. Knowledge and practice scores in dentists who worked in private office were significantly better than those who worked only in clinics.