The use of personal protection equipment among dentists in Montes Claros, MG Brazil
Keywords:
Exposure to biological agents, Occupational health, DentistryAbstract
The present study evaluated the prevalence and factors associated with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as the main reasons for its non-use, among dentists. A survey was conducted among all dentists residing and working in Montes Claros, MG Brazil, using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The data were submitted to descriptive, bivariate, and Poisson analyses using the statistical package SPSS v. 17.0. A total of 297 professionals (89.2%) participated in the study. The prevalence of 100% of the time PPE use was: gloves (88.5%), mask (81.7%), apron (76.8%), cap (62.2%), and protective glasses (51.9%). The simultaneous use of all available equipment 100% of the time was reported by 36.6% of the participants. The most common reasons for not using the appropriate equipment included: “not necessary”, for masks, aprons, and caps, and “hinders work”, for gloves and protective glasses. The variables significantly associated with the use of all available equipment 100% of the time included: sex (OR = 1.67), time intervals between each patient (OR = 1.48), and no vaccination against hepatitis B (OR = 0.32). The use of PPE is still neglected by many dentists in Montes Claros, who justify this action by claiming that the equipment is unnecessary and/ or hinders work. PPE use is higher among women, among dentists who take breaks between each patient, and among those who had been vaccinated against hepatitis B.
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References
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