Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Dental Professionals Regarding Cross Infection in the Dental Teaching Hospital of Karachi

Abstract

Background: Oral dental care infection management is of primary concern in combating the spread of bloodborne pathologic agents and protecting the patient and provider alike. Although there are set guidelines, the level of adherence to the guidelines on infection control is still low among dental practitioners. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of dental practitioners in a teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan in respect to cross-infection control. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study that was carried out in February 2025 in Fatima Jinnah Dental College and Hospital and involved 330 dental professionals including undergraduate students, house officers, post-graduate residents, lecturers, and senior faculty. The information has been obtained with the help of a validated self-administered questionnaire that is filled in via a Google Forms and face-to-face interaction. The questionnaire measured demographic factors, awareness of the infection control measures, views on infection prevention, self-reported practices, perceived obstacles, vaccination, and suggestions on how they can promote the same. Findings: Most of the respondents were aged 2030 (82.4%), female (59.4%), and house officers (52.1%). The level of knowledge was high as 98.2% were able to identify autoclaving as the most efficient sterilization technique and 88.5% displayed knowledge in sharps disposal. Favourable attitudes were found, with 96.4% of people regarding infection control as very important and 98.2% recognizing the importance of lifelong learning. Adherence was self-reported (sterilization 83.0%, PPE use, 78.8%, hand hygiene, 74.5%, waste disposal, 71.5%, and aerosol management, 50.9%). The vaccination coverage of hepatitis B was 88.5. Among the significant barriers, there were resource shortage (61.8%), time (52.1%), and insufficient training (45.5%). Markedly, although 98.2% agreed with the need to engage in constant learning, 62.4 per cent had not attended any training related to infection control over the last year. Ordinary training workshops (80.6% recommendation) and more rigid adherence of guidelines (73.3% of 72.7%) and greater PPE supplies were highly suggested by participants. Conclusion: Dental professionals have shown great awareness and favourable attitudes towards infection control; still, there are numerous gaps in the practical application, especially in regards to aerosol management and involvement in continuing education. Systemic obstacles such as resource constraints and institutional hindrances are the major irregularities to ideal infection control. An organizational intervention, better training opportunities, and additional mechanisms to enforce the distance between knowledge and regular practice are necessary to bridge the gap.