Uniform-related infection control practices of dental students

Abstract

Background

Uniform-related infection control practices are sometimes overlooked and underemphasized. In Saudi Arabia, personal protective equipment must meet global standards for infection control, but the country’s Islamic legislature also needs to be taken into account.

Aim

To assess uniform-related infection control practices of a group of dental students in a dental school in Saudi Arabia and compare the results with existing literature related to cross-contamination through uniforms in the dental field.

Method

A questionnaire was formulated and distributed to dental students at King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which queried the students about their uniform-related infection control practices and their methods and frequency of laundering and sanitizing their uniforms, footwear, and name tags.

Results

There is a significant difference between genders with regard to daily uniform habits. The frequency of uniform washing was below the standard and almost 30% of students were not aware of how their uniforms are washed. Added to this, there is no consensus on a unified uniform for male and female students.

Conclusion

Information on preventing cross-contamination through wearing uniforms must be supplied, reinforced, and emphasized while taking into consideration the cultural needs of the Saudi society.

Keywords:

• cross-contamination
• infection control
• dental students
• uniforms

Acknowledgments

The authors express their gratitude to the students who agreed to participate in this work by providing their honest answers and time amidst their busy schedules. They would also like to thank the Institute’s higher administration for providing them with access to distribute their questionnaire.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.