Infection prevention and control in dental surgeries in the Pará state prison system in Brazil

Lima, C. M. A., Smith, A. J. , Fonseca Silva, A. S., Flório, F. M. and Zanin, L. (2016) Infection prevention and control in dental surgeries in the Pará state prison system in Brazil. American Journal of Infection Control, 44(11), pp. 1417-1418. (doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2016.04.213) (PMID:27320900)

Abstract

Prison populations have higher levels of bloodborne viruses with consequently higher risks of cross-infection. This study assessed infection prevention and occupational hazards in prison dental surgeries in the Brazilian state of Pará. Investigations were undertaken by a single examiner in 11 prison clinics. Manual washing of instruments with no detergents and dry heat sterilization were the main instrument decontamination methods used. Most surgeries had insufficient instruments for daily clinical work requirements. Half of dentists interviewed worked single-handed with no documented policies or health and safety procedures.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Smith, Professor Andrew
• Authors: Lima, C. M. A., Smith, A. J., Fonseca Silva, A. S., Flório, F. M., and Zanin, L.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
• Journal Name: American Journal of Infection Control
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0196-6553
• ISSN (Online): 1527-3296
• Published Online: 16 June 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.
• First Published: First published in American Journal of Infection Control 44(11):1417-1418
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher