A study of the level of awareness of general"dentists in isfahan city regarding infection control "methods in respiratory patients

Abstract
Introduction: Dental staff is more exposed to pathogenic microorganisms than other people in the community. Therefore, with the prevalence of respiratory viruses, especially Covid-19, the need to study the knowledge of dentists about control and methods of prevention and care doubles. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge of general dentists in Isfahan about infection control respiratory disease methods.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study examined 120 active dentists in Isfahan using a researcher-made questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: demographic, awareness questions, and performance questions, the validity, and reliability of which were confirmed. After collecting the questionnaires, the results were analyzed using SPSS26 software using an independent t-test at a 5% error level.
Results: Most of the dentists participating in the study were women and the ratio of women to men was 2 to 1 and most of them had a work experience of 5 to 10 years. Most dentists graduated from state universities. Also, the level of knowledge (57%), performance (50%), knowledge of infection control in respiratory disease (58%), and knowledge of clinical signs of respiratory disease (50%) were assessed as over moderate.
Conclusion: The knowledge of general dentists in Isfahan about infection control methods in respiratory disease is higher than average.
 
Keywords: Awareness, Infection control, Respiratory disease.