María Chatzoudi1. 1. Private Practice, Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. mariachatzoudi@yahoo.gr
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess the risks of cross infection after dental extraction. A systematic approach is proposed to prevent the risks of cross contamination and infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was conducted in which patients were asked when and where they disposed of the gauze pad applied to the socket in their mouth postoperatively and whether they had touched it at all before throwing it away. RESULTS: Of the patients, 40% threw the gauze pad in the roads' litter bins and 9.33% threw it away in the practice's bathroom; half of the patients declared that they had touched the gauze pad with their bare hands before its final removal. CONCLUSIONS: The danger of trans-infection of blood-borne diseases is evident, and a series of measures is proposed to control it. Proper patient education, use of alternative methods of stopping postoperative bleeding other than a gauze pad, appropriate scheduling of appointments of already infected patients, and widespread vaccinations are some such measures. Attention and critical evaluation of the case are necessary because the already existing policies and guidelines are always open to improvements.
PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess the risks of cross infection after dental extraction. A systematic approach is proposed to prevent the risks of cross contamination and infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was conducted in which patients were asked when and where they disposed of the gauze pad applied to the socket in their mouth postoperatively and whether they had touched it at all before throwing it away. RESULTS: Of the patients, 40% threw the gauze pad in the roads' litter bins and 9.33% threw it away in the practice's bathroom; half of the patients declared that they had touched the gauze pad with their bare hands before its final removal. CONCLUSIONS: The danger of trans-infection of blood-borne diseases is evident, and a series of measures is proposed to control it. Proper patient education, use of alternative methods of stopping postoperative bleeding other than a gauze pad, appropriate scheduling of appointments of already infected patients, and widespread vaccinations are some such measures. Attention and critical evaluation of the case are necessary because the already existing policies and guidelines are always open to improvements.