Analysis of implementation status and influencing factors of standard infection control methods for dental environmental surfaces by dental hygienists in South Korea: a questionnaire-based study

Given reports that the Coronavirus Disease 2019 can survive on environmental surfaces for a period, public attention to surface disinfection has increased. However, only a few studies have investigated the current status of standard infection control practices for environmental surfaces. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the implementation status of standard infection control methods for dental environmental surfaces among South Korean dental hygienists and to analyze the factors influencing these practices.

A survey was conducted to investigate surface infection control methods in dental office environments. A questionnaire, consisting of general characteristics and infection control methods stratified by environmental surfaces, was distributed to dental hygienists. Overall, 190 dental hygienists responded to the survey; responses from eight participants with incomplete data were excluded, and the remaining 182 responses were analyzed using SPSS software.

The surfaces with the highest implementation rate of standard infection control methods were the bracket Table (23.1%), followed by the light-curing unit head. In contrast, drawer handles (0.5%) had the lowest implementation rates. The odds of implementing standard infection control methods were higher for dental hygienists treating 40 or more patients daily compared with those treating 19 or fewer patients. In addition, the odds of implementing standard infection control methods were higher when an infection control personnel was present than when absent.

Based on a thorough understanding of dental institutions and accumulated evidence, our findings highlight the need to improve standard infection control methods for efficient implementation, and offer strategies to increase their implementation.