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Abstract
Introduction. In Cameroon, reuse of sharp instruments in dental practice increase the infection risk and pose a threat to patient and practitioner safety. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding sterilization among dental professionals in Yaoundé. Methodology. A cross-sectional KAP survey was conducted from January to May 2021 in dental units across Yaoundé. Anonymous questionnaires comprising forty items were administered to dental surgeons and technicians who consented to participate to examine their knowledge, attitudes, and practices in respect to sterilization. Results. In total, 89 dental surgeons and 17 dental technicians from 39 dental units were interviewed. Findings revealed poor knowledge in 53.8% of participants, with only 20.8% aware that dry-heat sterilizers are no longer recommended. Attitudes were inadequate in 54.7% of respondents; 36.8% considered sterilization too time-consuming, and only 35.8% believed all instruments used on a patient should be sterilized. Harmful practices were reported by 49.1% of practitioners, with merely 2.8% sterilizing rotary instrument holders. No statistically significant associations were observed between knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Conclusion. Overall, the study highlights insufficient sterilization knowledge and practices among dental professionals in Yaoundé. Strengthening initial and continuing education, alongside investment in sterilization equipment or single-use instruments, is essential to ensure safe dental care.
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References
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- 3. Pandey DPK, Agrawal DS, Singh DD, Satish DK, Kumari DP. Sterilization and Disinfection of Dental Operatory. Shashwat Publication; 2021. 147 p.
- 4. Sanjana P, Mohammad MK, Asawari S, Preeti M, Mitali M. Compliance of sterilization and disinfection protocols in dental practice - A review to reconsider basics. International Journal of Recent Scientific Research. 2020;11(04):38050‑4.
- 5. Panta G, Richardson AK, Shaw IC, Chambers S, Coope PA. Effectiveness of steam sterilization of reusable medical devices in primary and secondary care public hospitals in Nepal and factors associated with ineffective sterilization: A nation-wide cross-sectional study. PLOS ONE. 21 nov 2019;14(11):e0225595.
- 6. Sasaki JI, Imazato S. Autoclave sterilization of dental handpieces: A literature review. Journal of Prosthodontic Research. 1 jul 2020;64(3):239‑42.
- 7. Essi MJ, Esther MD, Amazia H, N MM, Nkolo JN, Zobo LO, et al. Prévention de la Transmission des Hépatites Virales B & C en Cabinet Dentaire À Yaoundé. Health Sciences and Disease [Internet]. 22 aug 2018 [cited 12 jan 2026];19(3 (S)). Available on: https://hsd-fmsb.org/index.php/hsd/article/view/1144
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- 9. Agbor A, Azodo C. Sterilization and Disinfection Practices in Selected Dental Clinics in Cameroon. Nig Hosp Pract. 25 nov 2010;Vol. 6 No (1-2), 2010, 10-15.
- 10. Ahmad T, Haroon null, Dhama K, Sharun K, Khan FM, Ahmed I, et al. Biosafety and biosecurity approaches to restrain/contain and counter SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic: a rapid-review. Turk J Biol. 2020;44(3):132‑45.
- 11. Essi MJ, Njoya O. L’enquête CAP en recherche médicale. Health Sciences and Disease [Internet]. 9 aug 2013 [cited 30 aug 2023];14(2). Available on: https://www.hsd-fmsb.org/index.php/hsd/article/view/183
- 12. Clapeau G, Decroix B, Bakayoko-Ly R, Varenne B, Dosso-Hien D, Decroix MO. Enquête sur les méthodes de nettoyage, décontamination, désinfection et stérilisation dans des services dentaires en zone tropicale. Cahiers d’études et de recherches francophones / Santé. 24 nov 1997;7(5):323‑0.
- 13. Kohn WG, Collins AS, Cleveland JL, Harte JA, Eklund KJ, Malvitz DM, et al. Guidelines for infection control in dental health-care settings-2003. MMWR Recomm Rep. 19 dec 2003;52(RR-17):1‑61.
- 14. Silva O, Palomino S, Robles A, Ríos J, Mayta-Tovalino F. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Infection Control Measures in Stomatology Students in Lima, Peru. J Environ Public Health. 2018;2018:8027130.
- 15. Qamar MK, Shaikh BT, Afzal A. What Do the Dental Students Know about Infection Control? A Cross-Sectional Study in a Teaching Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Biomed Res Int. 2020;2020:3413087.
- 16. Cunin L. Evaluation des pratiques de stérilisation chez les chirurgiens dentistes libéraux de Meurthe et Moselle [Internet] [Thesis]. University of Lorraine, France; 2012 [cited 12 jan 2026]. p. 95. Available on: https://hal.univ-lorraine.fr/hal-01732705
- 17. Podgórska M, Jakimiak B, Röhm-Rodowald E, Chojecka A. [Assessment of disinfection and sterilization processes in dental practice as an important factor in prevention of infections]. Przegl Epidemiol. 2009;63(4):545‑50.
- 18. Al-Zoughool M, Al-Shehri Z. Injury and infection in dental clinics: Risk factors and prevention. Toxicol Ind Health. sept 2018;34(9):609‑19.
- 19. Dagher J, Sfeir C, Abdallah A, Majzoub Z. Infection Control Measures in Private Dental Clinics in Lebanon. Int J Dent. 2017;2017:5057248.
- 20. Al-Rabeah A, Moamed AG. Infection control in the private dental sector in Riyadh. Ann Saudi Med. 2002;22(1‑2):13‑7.
- 21. Sombié C, Delma KL, Ouédraogo M, Semdé R. Evaluation de l’activité de stérilisation des dispositifs médicaux réutilisables au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique Charles de Gaulle au Burkina Faso. Journal Africain de Technologie Pharmaceutique et Biopharmacie (JATPB). 21 oct 2022;1(1):1‑15.
- 22. Mahdipour M, Taghavi Zenouz A, Gholizadeh N. Knowledge and Attitude of Dental Practitioners in Ta-briz Regarding Infection Control Procedures. J Dent Res Dent Clin Dent Prospects. 2007;1(3):103‑7.
- 23. Röhm-Rodowald E, Jakimiak B, Chojecka A, Zmuda-Baranowska M, Kanclerski K. [Assessment of decontamination processes: cleaning, disinfection and sterilization in dental practice in Poland in the years 2011-2012]. Przegl Epidemiol. 2012;66(4):635‑41.
References
1. . D’Affronte L, Platia CL. Overview of Infectious Diseases of Concern to Dental Practitioners: Blood-Borne Pathogens. In: DePaola LG, Grant LE, éditeurs. Infection Control in the Dental Office: A Global Perspective [Internet]. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2020 [cited 11 jan 2026]. p. 9‑19. Available on: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30085-2_2
2. DePaola LG, Grant LE, éditeurs. Infection Control in the Dental Office: A Global Perspective [Internet]. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2020 [cited 11 jan 2026]. Available on: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-030-30085-2
3. Pandey DPK, Agrawal DS, Singh DD, Satish DK, Kumari DP. Sterilization and Disinfection of Dental Operatory. Shashwat Publication; 2021. 147 p.
4. Sanjana P, Mohammad MK, Asawari S, Preeti M, Mitali M. Compliance of sterilization and disinfection protocols in dental practice - A review to reconsider basics. International Journal of Recent Scientific Research. 2020;11(04):38050‑4.
5. Panta G, Richardson AK, Shaw IC, Chambers S, Coope PA. Effectiveness of steam sterilization of reusable medical devices in primary and secondary care public hospitals in Nepal and factors associated with ineffective sterilization: A nation-wide cross-sectional study. PLOS ONE. 21 nov 2019;14(11):e0225595.
6. Sasaki JI, Imazato S. Autoclave sterilization of dental handpieces: A literature review. Journal of Prosthodontic Research. 1 jul 2020;64(3):239‑42.
7. Essi MJ, Esther MD, Amazia H, N MM, Nkolo JN, Zobo LO, et al. Prévention de la Transmission des Hépatites Virales B & C en Cabinet Dentaire À Yaoundé. Health Sciences and Disease [Internet]. 22 aug 2018 [cited 12 jan 2026];19(3 (S)). Available on: https://hsd-fmsb.org/index.php/hsd/article/view/1144
8. Onana J, Ngongang A. [Hygiene and methods of decontamination, disinfection and sterilization in dental offices in Yaoundé]. Odontostomatol Trop. mar 2002;25(97):45‑51.
9. Agbor A, Azodo C. Sterilization and Disinfection Practices in Selected Dental Clinics in Cameroon. Nig Hosp Pract. 25 nov 2010;Vol. 6 No (1-2), 2010, 10-15.
10. Ahmad T, Haroon null, Dhama K, Sharun K, Khan FM, Ahmed I, et al. Biosafety and biosecurity approaches to restrain/contain and counter SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic: a rapid-review. Turk J Biol. 2020;44(3):132‑45.
11. Essi MJ, Njoya O. L’enquête CAP en recherche médicale. Health Sciences and Disease [Internet]. 9 aug 2013 [cited 30 aug 2023];14(2). Available on: https://www.hsd-fmsb.org/index.php/hsd/article/view/183
12. Clapeau G, Decroix B, Bakayoko-Ly R, Varenne B, Dosso-Hien D, Decroix MO. Enquête sur les méthodes de nettoyage, décontamination, désinfection et stérilisation dans des services dentaires en zone tropicale. Cahiers d’études et de recherches francophones / Santé. 24 nov 1997;7(5):323‑0.
13. Kohn WG, Collins AS, Cleveland JL, Harte JA, Eklund KJ, Malvitz DM, et al. Guidelines for infection control in dental health-care settings-2003. MMWR Recomm Rep. 19 dec 2003;52(RR-17):1‑61.
14. Silva O, Palomino S, Robles A, Ríos J, Mayta-Tovalino F. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Infection Control Measures in Stomatology Students in Lima, Peru. J Environ Public Health. 2018;2018:8027130.
15. Qamar MK, Shaikh BT, Afzal A. What Do the Dental Students Know about Infection Control? A Cross-Sectional Study in a Teaching Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Biomed Res Int. 2020;2020:3413087.
16. Cunin L. Evaluation des pratiques de stérilisation chez les chirurgiens dentistes libéraux de Meurthe et Moselle [Internet] [Thesis]. University of Lorraine, France; 2012 [cited 12 jan 2026]. p. 95. Available on: https://hal.univ-lorraine.fr/hal-01732705
17. Podgórska M, Jakimiak B, Röhm-Rodowald E, Chojecka A. [Assessment of disinfection and sterilization processes in dental practice as an important factor in prevention of infections]. Przegl Epidemiol. 2009;63(4):545‑50.
18. Al-Zoughool M, Al-Shehri Z. Injury and infection in dental clinics: Risk factors and prevention. Toxicol Ind Health. sept 2018;34(9):609‑19.
19. Dagher J, Sfeir C, Abdallah A, Majzoub Z. Infection Control Measures in Private Dental Clinics in Lebanon. Int J Dent. 2017;2017:5057248.
20. Al-Rabeah A, Moamed AG. Infection control in the private dental sector in Riyadh. Ann Saudi Med. 2002;22(1‑2):13‑7.
21. Sombié C, Delma KL, Ouédraogo M, Semdé R. Evaluation de l’activité de stérilisation des dispositifs médicaux réutilisables au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique Charles de Gaulle au Burkina Faso. Journal Africain de Technologie Pharmaceutique et Biopharmacie (JATPB). 21 oct 2022;1(1):1‑15.
22. Mahdipour M, Taghavi Zenouz A, Gholizadeh N. Knowledge and Attitude of Dental Practitioners in Ta-briz Regarding Infection Control Procedures. J Dent Res Dent Clin Dent Prospects. 2007;1(3):103‑7.
23. Röhm-Rodowald E, Jakimiak B, Chojecka A, Zmuda-Baranowska M, Kanclerski K. [Assessment of decontamination processes: cleaning, disinfection and sterilization in dental practice in Poland in the years 2011-2012]. Przegl Epidemiol. 2012;66(4):635‑41.