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. 2017 Apr 24:10:135-142.
doi: 10.2147/IDR.S128161. eCollection 2017.

Uniform-related infection control practices of dental students

Yazan Aljohani  1 , Mohammed Almutadares  1 , Khalid Alfaifi  1 , Mona El Madhoun  1 , Maysoon H Albahiti  2 , Nadia Al-Hazmi  3
Affiliations

Uniform-related infection control practices of dental students

Yazan Aljohani et al. Infect Drug Resist. .

Abstract

Background: Uniform-related infection control practices are sometimes overlooked and underemphasized. In Saudi Arabia, personal protective equipment must meet global standards for infection control, but the country's Islamic legislature also needs to be taken into account.

Aim: To assess uniform-related infection control practices of a group of dental students in a dental school in Saudi Arabia and compare the results with existing literature related to cross-contamination through uniforms in the dental field.

Method: A questionnaire was formulated and distributed to dental students at King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which queried the students about their uniform-related infection control practices and their methods and frequency of laundering and sanitizing their uniforms, footwear, and name tags.

Results: There is a significant difference between genders with regard to daily uniform habits. The frequency of uniform washing was below the standard and almost 30% of students were not aware of how their uniforms are washed. Added to this, there is no consensus on a unified uniform for male and female students.

Conclusion: Information on preventing cross-contamination through wearing uniforms must be supplied, reinforced, and emphasized while taking into consideration the cultural needs of the Saudi society.

Keywords: cross-contamination; dental students; infection control; uniforms.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Type of daily clinical uniform.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Frequency of washing scrubs/everyday pants.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Frequency of washing lab coats.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Frequency of washing footwear.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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