Author: W. Gail Barnes, Ph.D, RDH – Associate Professor Dental Hygiene, Clayton State University Author: Victoria Foster, Ph.D. MSN, FNP-C – Professor of Nursing, Clayton State University Author: Elicia S. Collins, PhD.. RN – Interim Assistant Dean, Clayton State University Submitter: W. Gail Barnes, Ph.D, RDH – Associate Professor Dental Hygiene, Clayton State University
Objective: During this time of the covid-19 pandemic, it’s extremely important to practice with the highest level of infection control awareness. The purpose of this program was to determine the effectiveness of instruction of first year dental hygiene students on infection control.
Methods: The IRB status was exempt. Two faculty pilot-tested a 5-item closed-ended pretest/posttest questionnaire on their knowledge of infection control. A convenience sample of 14 dental hygiene students completed a pre-test, followed by a presentation on infection control practices in the clinic. Questions specifically dealt with hand hygiene and personal protective equipment. On the first day of pre-clinic lab, faculty walked around the clinic wearing white disposable coats covered with red permanent marker dots. A sign on the back of one coat read: “What if covid-19 turned saliva red?” The lecture consisted of: “appropriate handwashing, eye protection, and personal protective equipment.” After the presentation, the students completed the post-test.
Results: There was a marked improvement in the scores from pretest to posttest. The mean score for the pretest was 71% and 99% for the posttest. Hand hygiene scores also displayed improvement of 80% and 99% respectively. The personal protective equipment questions had the most dramatic pretest and posttest scores (0% and 99%).
Conclusion: The marked difference in pretest and posttest scores demonstrate an improvement in the students’ knowledge and understanding of appropriate infection control. Specifically, knowledge related to personal protective equipment and hand hygiene.
