Avaliar o comportamento e atitudes na desinfeção das impressões por parte de médicos dentistas e técnicos de laboratório de prótese

Abstract

Aims: To check the level of education, knowledge and significance that Dentists and Dental Technicians have on the subject of disinfection of impression materials, evaluating if communication between them covers this issue. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study using the stratified technique was performed. The research covered Dentists (n=64) and Dental Technicians (n=11) practicing in the Viseu region, to whom it was distributed a questionnaire to evaluate the behaviour and attitudes on dental impression disinfection. The results have been processed and analysed by descriptive statistical methods. Results: Alginate is the material used by all (100%) of the respondents and Prosthodontics is the Dentistry area that most uses this impression materials. 60.3% Dentists states always make disinfection of impressions materials that are sent to the Laboratory. However 90.9% of the Dental Technicians do not receive any notification about it. Chemical disinfection is performed with alcohols, mainly in the form of spray; effectiveness is the most determining factor when selecting the disinfection material. Most Dentists questioned (65.6%) declare not inform the Laboratory about the state of disinfection of the biomaterial. 90.9% of Dental Technicians admit not rely on disinfection performed by dentists. Conclusions: The responses indicate the need for additional educational measures regarding infection control practices and to improve communication between Dentists and Dental Technicians. Regarding communication and confidence, the results are lower than expected and even contradictory to the international literature.

Date of Award	2013
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Filipe Miguel Araújo (Supervisor) & André Correia (Co-Supervisor)