www.ijcmr.com Section: Dentistry International Journal of Contemporary Medical Research ISSN (Online): 2393-915X; (Print): 2454-7379 | ICV: 98.46 | Volume 6 | Issue 9 | Sptember 2019 I1 Awareness Regarding Practices Related to Infection Control among Dental Students in Patna City Ajoy Kumar Shahi 1 , Rana Nagendra Prasad Singh 2 , Sandeep Kumar 3 , Swati Sharma 4 , Subhash Chandra 5 , Virendra Kumar Prajapati 6 ORIGINAL RESEARCH ABSTRACT Introduction: Cross infection control practice is essential to protect both the patient and the dentist from blood and saliva borne infectious agents, including hepatitis B, C and HIV by direct contact with contaminated instruments, fabrics and also by aerosols. Study aimed to assess the awareness regarding practices related to infection control among dental student in Patna city. Material and Methods: This was a cross sectional study which was carried out in one of the dental teaching institutions in Patna City. The subjects comprised of 180 dental students. The study subjects were third year; fnal year and Intern students which were selected using convenience sampling technique. Their knowledge pertaining to infection control practices were assessed using a pretested self administered questionnaire. The questionnaire collected information on socio demographic characteristics, and knowledge regarding infection control practices. Data were analyzed using SPSS software v20. Frequency distribution analysis and Chi sq tests were performed. p value<0.05 was considered statistically signifcant. Results: The dental student had adequate knowledge regarding personal protective measures and cross infection control but improvement was needed in areas of biomedical waste handling and disposal. Conclusion: A dental surgeon must take adequate protection to prevent spread of harmful disease to self and other patients. Consequently inter-appointment disinfection of clinic surfaces is required to reduce the cross infection hazard. Keywords: Infection Control, Dental Students, Personal Protective Measures, Patna. INTRODUCTION Infection is a major problem for health care systems in many countries and it continues to be subject of intensive research and debate. The infective agent can be transmitted through blood, droplets of saliva and contaminated instruments by way of direct contact, inhalation or inoculation. The major route of cross infection in dental surgery is via infection through intact skin or mucosa due to accidents involving sharps or direct inoculation onto cuts and abrasions in the skin. 1,2 Cross infection control practice is necessary to protect both the patient and the operator from the contaminated blood or saliva. 3 Dentists may expose themselves and patients to potential infectious materials like body substances, equipments, environmental surfaces, water and air. 4 Pathogenic microorganism may be spread to clinical surfaces during dental procedures, not only by direct contact with contaminated instruments and fabrics but also by aerosols. 5 Management of bio medical waste has become a serious health issue in many countries including India. Careless and indiscriminate disposal of this waste by dental clinics and institutions can contribute to spread of diseases like hepatitis and human immunodefciency virus (HIV). Hence a dental surgeon must take adequate protection to prevent spread of harmful disease to self and other patients. A considerable emphasis has been placed on standardized infection control measures, but unfortunately, only a few dentists seem to implement these procedures in their clinical practice. 6,7 In order to create a protected environment the dentist needs thorough knowledge of cross infection control principles and practices before they begin their clinical training as undergraduates. Although, training pertaining to infection control practices have been provided in dental schools in India and also included in dental curriculum but limited data is available regarding the implementation of these concepts in dental clinics. Hence, this study was carried out with the aim to assess the awareness regarding practices related to infection control among dental student in Patna city. The study fndings will help to assess the extent to which infection control guidelines are followed in clinical 1 Reader, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental Institute, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, 2 Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Buddha Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, 3 Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Dental Institute, RIMS, Ranchi-09, 4 Lecturer, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Dental Institute, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 5 Reader, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Dental Institute, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 6 Professor and HOD, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Implantology, Dental Institute, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. Corresponding author: Dr. Rana Nagendra Prasad Singh, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Buddha Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, West of T.V. Tower, Kankarbagh, Patna -20, Bihar, India. How to cite this article: Ajoy Kumar Shahi, Rana Nagendra Prasad Singh, Sandeep Kumar, Swati Sharma, Subhash Chandra, Virendra Kumar Prajapati. Awareness regarding practices related to infection control among dental students in Patna city. International Journal of Contemporary Medical Research 2019;6(9):I1-I6. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21276/ijcmr.2019.6.9.7