Infection Control in dental practice for chair-side Assistants in Tanzania

Abstract

Rationale: In Tanzania Dental Auxiliaries are used as dental chair-side assistants without formal training. This way of recruiting dental health personnel has an inherent weakness that may adversely affect infection control in dental practice. To redress this weakness, the School of Assistant Dental Officers at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania initiated a course aimed at training dental auxiliaries to upgrade their knowledge, attitudes and skills on asepsis and infection control in dental practice. Aim of the course: The aim of the course was to train and orient the chair-side assistants on cross-infection control in dental practice. The scope and implementation of the course: This is a two weeks course that covers principles and procedures for infection control in dental practice. The participants are guided through a series of lectures, seminars, demonstrations and hands on practical sessions. Pre- and post course evaluation is done and upon successful completion of a course, a certificate of participation is offered. Outcome of the course: Twenty-one participants from across Tanzania have successfully completed the course from 2005 to 2008. Pre- and post course evaluation consistently indicated an increase in level of knowledge and skills for infection control in dental practice among participants. Conclusion: It is hereby concluded that this course improved the knowledge and skills of participants. Recommendations: A formal evaluation of the impact of this course to the performance of the participants in asepsis and infection control in dentistry is needed. Hospitals that have not sent their dental auxiliaries to this course are encouraged to do so.
Key Words: Dental auxiliaries, continuing education, infection control in dental practice