Utilization of personal protective equipment in dental practice at dental hospital University of Health Sciences, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR

The principles of Universal Precautions are central to infection control in dental practice. These principles also provided the guidelines for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). This study investigated PPE practices (Glove, Mask, and Cap, Gown and Eye protection) of dentists in dental hospital university of health sciences, Vientiane capital, LAO PDR. In April 2018, data was gathered by self-administered questionnaire (79 participants), clinical observation (18 participants) and analyzed by descriptive statistics and Chi-squared for variables association.Most of the participants were in clinical practice for ten years or less (62%). The majority were graduated DDS (63%), their age were 39 years or younger (77%). The participants’ glove practicing were high (100% from clinical observation and 85% from questionnaire). Mask and Gown practicing were also high according to the data from clinical observation (95% and 100% respectively). However, other PPE practicing’s were lower than 50%. The predictor variable for glove practicing was female (p-value: 0.01), for mask practicing was DDS (p-value: 0.02). This study also found that dentists from the department of periodontics performed better PPE practicing compared to other departments. Sufficient supply of PPE and the management within the Department showed a strong association to PPE practicing compared to individual factors, this should be helpful for the hospital administrators for future programs to improve dentist PPE practicing.