Infection Control Practices in Registered versus Unregistered Dental Clinics: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Swat, Pakistan

Authors

  • Yaseen Khan Dental Technology Department, Iqra National University, Swat, Pakistan Author
  • Asad Ullah Dental Technology Department, Iqra National University, Swat, Pakistan Author
  • Junaid Ali Lecturer, Department of Dental Technology, Iqra National University, Swat, Pakistan Author https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9335-7577
  • Shahid Ali Demonstrator, Community Dentistry Department, Saidu College of Dentistry, Swat, Pakistan Author
  • Yusra Tabassum Dental Technology Department, Iqra National University, Swat, Pakistan Author
  • Noor Ul Hasan Radiology Technology Department, Iqra National University, Swat, Pakistan Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65210/jscd.v1i2.05

Keywords:

Infection control, Sterilization, Registered dental clinics, Unregistered dental clinics

Abstract

 

Objective: To compare adherence to standard infection control practices between registered and unregistered dental clinics in Swat District, Pakistan.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in 160 dental clinics (80 registered, 80 unregistered). Data were collected using a 21-item structured questionnaire based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. For each clinic, an infection control practices (ICP) score was calculated. Mean ICP scores and categorical variables were compared using independent samples t-tests and chi-square tests, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Registered clinics had a higher mean ICP score than unregistered clinics (51.29 ± 1.90 vs 50.14 ± 2.46; p = 0.001). They more frequently reported handwashing before treatment, handpiece sterilization, disinfection of work surfaces, and safe disposal of needles in sharps containers. Unregistered clinics reported more frequent use of hand sanitizer but were less likely to document sharps injuries. In both groups, adherence was lowest for waste segregation and routine mask changing.

Conclusion: Registered dental clinics in Swat demonstrated better compliance with infection control practices than unregistered clinics, yet important gaps remained in both groups, particularly regarding waste management, documentation of sharps injuries, and mask use.

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Additional Files

Published

15-01-2026

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 02 (2025): Vol. 1 No. 02 (2025)

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Yaseen Khan, Asad Ullah, Junaid Ali, Shahid Ali, Yusra Tabassum, Noor Ul Hasan (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

1.
Khan Y, Ullah A, Ali J, Ali S, Tabassum Y, Ul Hasan N. Infection Control Practices in Registered versus Unregistered Dental Clinics: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Swat, Pakistan. J Saidu Coll Dent [Internet]. 2026 Jan. 15 [cited 2026 May 9];1(02):73-80. Available from: https://jscd.com.pk/index.php/Journal/article/view/34