European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

IMPRESSION'S DISINFECTION PROTOCOLS AMONGST INTERNS IN MUMBAI AND NAVI MUMBAI: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Rukhsaar Akbar Gulzar*, Dr Jhanvi Pravin Desai, Dr. Ratin Dilipkumar Das, Dr Dheeraj Deepak Kalra

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Oral cavity being the niche for a plethora of microorganisms raises the chances of cross infection. Thus the process of disinfection is fundamental to prevent the bidirectional transmission of microorganisms. Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge and practice protocols regarding disinfection of impressions amongst interns in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai Method and Materials: The study design was a cross sectional questionnaire based survey. The study was carried out amongst 386 interns from six dental colleges across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai who were selected through simple randomized sampling technique. Data was collected through a self designed pretested questionnaire and a descriptive statistical analysis was conducted. Results: The necessity of disinfection was felt by 83.5% but only 15.2% interns regularly disinfected impressions using disinfectants. While 71.6% of them never scrubbed their impressions, 88.6% of interns always rinsed their impressions. Gluteraldehyde was the choice of disinfectant for impression compound, alginate and zinc oxide eugenol. Disinfection of alginate impressions was done using the technique of cotton soaked in disinfectant by 10.88% and immersion was the technique followed for zinc oxide eugenol and impression compound. The necessity to upgrade their knowledge was felt by 95.3% interns through means of seminars, symposiums and workshops. Conclusions: The study concluded that though the interns are aware about the necessity to carry out disinfection of impressions yet the practice of using a chemical disinfectant with the right technique does not prevail. Thus, there is a need for upgradation and stricter reinforcement of disinfection protocol.

Keywords: Academic Skills, Continuing Dental Education, Dental Impression, Dental Students, Disinfectants, Prosthodontics.