Evaluation of the Knowledge regarding Infection Control in Prosthetic setup during Covid Pandemic among the Dental Students – A Cross Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: Infection control is the important aspect of clinical dentistry because of the cross contamination of diseases via oral cavity is frequent between the dental team and the patients. So it is prerequisite to create awareness regarding infection control protocols among the dental students during their undergraduate/postgraduate training period. 

Aim: The aim of this cross sectional study is to describe the state of knowledge and create awareness among the dental students about infection control in prosthetic clinic during this COVID 19 pervasive circumstance.

Materials and methods: An online questionnaire based survey was conducted among the dental students in July 2021.Totally 300 third, fourth, fifth year undergraduate students and postgraduates who are studying prosthodontics as their speciality were participated. The survey consisted of 7closed ended and 17open ended questions related to the knowledge towards infection control protocol in prosthodontic clinic and their self satisfaction about their knowledge. After proper validation from the experts, reliability was evaluated. The google form was prepared and distributed among the dental students across various dental colleges.

Results: A total of 300 participants were involved in this study. Their knowledge towards infection control was varied between 24.33% and 78%. Some of the participants responded “good” or “fair” to the questions related to the evaluation of their knowledge towards infection control in prosthodontic clinic (P < 0.001). About 50% of students rated their knowledge as average and 7% of students rated their knowledge as poor towards infection control in prosthetic clinic.

Conclusion: The results of this study show that the students have enough awareness, average knowledge and self satisfaction level about infection control protocol in prosthetic clinic during this COVID 19 pandemic.

COVID 19; Infection control; Sterilization and disinfection.