Evaluating Dental Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Antisepsis and Infection Control: An Educational Intervention Study at a Public University Dental Department
Background: Infection control is fundamental in dental practice, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the variability in students’ adherence to disinfection protocols. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the fifth-year dental students at t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Hygiene |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-947X/5/2/24 |
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| author | Maria Antoniadou Sofia Sokratous Evangelos Dimitriou Ioannis Tzoutzas |
| author_facet | Maria Antoniadou Sofia Sokratous Evangelos Dimitriou Ioannis Tzoutzas |
| author_sort | Maria Antoniadou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Infection control is fundamental in dental practice, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the variability in students’ adherence to disinfection protocols. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the fifth-year dental students at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens regarding antisepsis and infection control, and to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention. Methods: A pre-post interventional study was conducted involving two in-person seminars, supplementary e-learning material, and a structured questionnaire administered before and after the intervention. The survey assessed the knowledge, clinical practices, and attitudes toward infection control, including vaccination history and prior exposure incidents. Results: The intervention led to statistically significant improvements in infection control knowledge, especially in risk-based sterilization strategies, disinfectant classification, and PPE use. Students with prior hepatitis B vaccinations and antibody testing demonstrated higher baseline scores and more significant knowledge gains. However, some misconceptions, particularly regarding surface disinfection and prosthetic care, persisted after the intervention. Conclusions: The findings support the effectiveness of structured educational interventions in improving infection control awareness among dental students. Practical, simulation-based training and earlier curriculum integration are recommended to enhance compliance and ensure safe clinical practice. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a7ce155d2adf4bc5a406284bd3833638 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-947X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Hygiene |
| spelling | doaj-art-a7ce155d2adf4bc5a406284bd38336382025-08-20T03:27:22ZengMDPI AGHygiene2673-947X2025-06-01522410.3390/hygiene5020024Evaluating Dental Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Antisepsis and Infection Control: An Educational Intervention Study at a Public University Dental DepartmentMaria Antoniadou0Sofia Sokratous1Evangelos Dimitriou2Ioannis Tzoutzas3Department of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, GreeceBackground: Infection control is fundamental in dental practice, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the variability in students’ adherence to disinfection protocols. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the fifth-year dental students at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens regarding antisepsis and infection control, and to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention. Methods: A pre-post interventional study was conducted involving two in-person seminars, supplementary e-learning material, and a structured questionnaire administered before and after the intervention. The survey assessed the knowledge, clinical practices, and attitudes toward infection control, including vaccination history and prior exposure incidents. Results: The intervention led to statistically significant improvements in infection control knowledge, especially in risk-based sterilization strategies, disinfectant classification, and PPE use. Students with prior hepatitis B vaccinations and antibody testing demonstrated higher baseline scores and more significant knowledge gains. However, some misconceptions, particularly regarding surface disinfection and prosthetic care, persisted after the intervention. Conclusions: The findings support the effectiveness of structured educational interventions in improving infection control awareness among dental students. Practical, simulation-based training and earlier curriculum integration are recommended to enhance compliance and ensure safe clinical practice.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-947X/5/2/24infection controldental educationantisepsisdisinfection protocolseducational interventionpersonal protective equipment (PPE) |
| spellingShingle | Maria Antoniadou Sofia Sokratous Evangelos Dimitriou Ioannis Tzoutzas Evaluating Dental Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Antisepsis and Infection Control: An Educational Intervention Study at a Public University Dental Department Hygiene infection control dental education antisepsis disinfection protocols educational intervention personal protective equipment (PPE) |
| title | Evaluating Dental Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Antisepsis and Infection Control: An Educational Intervention Study at a Public University Dental Department |
| title_full | Evaluating Dental Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Antisepsis and Infection Control: An Educational Intervention Study at a Public University Dental Department |
| title_fullStr | Evaluating Dental Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Antisepsis and Infection Control: An Educational Intervention Study at a Public University Dental Department |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluating Dental Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Antisepsis and Infection Control: An Educational Intervention Study at a Public University Dental Department |
| title_short | Evaluating Dental Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Antisepsis and Infection Control: An Educational Intervention Study at a Public University Dental Department |
| title_sort | evaluating dental students knowledge and attitudes toward antisepsis and infection control an educational intervention study at a public university dental department |
| topic | infection control dental education antisepsis disinfection protocols educational intervention personal protective equipment (PPE) |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-947X/5/2/24 |
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