¹Centre for Evidence-based Dentistry, Oxford, UK

Gordon BL, Burke FJT, Bagg J, Marlborough HS, McHugh ES. Systematic review of adherence to infection control guidelines in dentistry. J Dent 2001; 29:509–516

Abstract

Data sources Data sources were MEDLINE, EMbase, BIDS Science Citation Index and Social Sciences Citation Index, the Cochrane Library, NHS EED (NHS Economic Evaluation Database), SIGLE (System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe), British Dental Association Library, reference lists of identified studies and hand searches of the International Dental Journal, Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology and Journal of the American Dental Association.

Study selection Randomised controlled trials (RCT), controlled clinical trials, controlled before-and-after studies, interrupted time series, observational studies, surveys and reports were selected. A wide range of outcome measures, both observed and self-reported, were considered, for example, glove use, mask use, wearing of protective clothing and eye wear and vaccination against hepatitis B virus.

Data extraction and synthesis Two reviewers independently selected studies and the quality was assessed using a checklist. Disagreements were resolved by discussion. Due to the degree of heterogeneity, a qualitative synthesis was performed.

Results Only 71 studies met the inclusion criteria and their overall quality was poor. The results were summarised under several headings: knowledge and attitudes, personal protective equipment, immunisation, sterilisation and disinfection, waste disposal, and occupationally acquired injuries. They revealed substantial improvements in compliance in some areas of infection control such as glove wearing, but other aspects, such as the effective management of needlestick injuries, remains problematic.

Conclusions More rigorously designed studies are needed to accurately assess dental team members' adherence to infection control guidelines.