Abstract
Introduction: Dental practice is a focal point for cross-contamination, where dental surgeons and their assistants engage in daily activities posing infectious risks to both patients and themselves. Adhering to universal hygiene and asepsis recommendations is a professional, regulatory, and ethical obligation. This study aims to evaluate the attitudes and behaviors of practitioners in the orthodontics department of CCTD Casablanca,Morroco regarding hygiene and asepsis.
Methods: A quasi experimental study was conducted through passive observation of orthopedics practitioners at the dental consultation and treatment center (CCTD) at Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center (CHU) in Casablanca. Data were collected on evaluation sheets based on universal hygiene and asepsis recommendations. The study included an initial assessment period, a focus group trainingand a reassessment period Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics via SPSS.
Results: The results align with international studies, showing that practitioners do not fully comply with regulations concerning work attire, hand hygiene, work surface disinfection, or waste management. Additionally, no statistically significant difference was observed before and after training (p≥0.01).
Discussion: The study assessed the adherence of practitioners in the dento-facial orthopedics service to hygiene and asepsis guidelines, emphasizing the need for continuous training and the use of guides to maintain proper standards. It found significant improvements in practices such as hand washing, attire changing, and mask usage post-training, although initial adherence was often lacking.
Conclusion: Despite some persistent challenges, the study highlights the importance of regular monitoring and training in enhancing infection control measures.