Infection control refers to the protocols and mechanisms that help to guarantee the safety of both the patient and provider; this is particularly vital in an almost off-connected clinical dental backdrop, whereby blood, saliva, and airborne exposure are the norm. There is, however, no standardization in the delivery format for infection control across all dental clinics, irrespective of the detailed guidelines already provided by reputable authority bodies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Dental Association (ADA). As a result, a discrepancy in infection control risk factors can therefore be assumed and thus it becomes essential to undertake a comprehensive review of the available current evidential resources. This study aims to perform a meta-analysis of the existing literature on the efficacy of infection control measures in the dental setting. The usual practices that will be the focus of this meta-analysis include hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, sterilization of instruments, and disinfection of surfaces, along with certain procedures aimed at controlling the microbial load. The findings of the review will be extracted and synthesized to inform about the effect of best practices on risk of microbial contamination and risk of cross-infection. The proposed study will be beneficial in assessing the significance and efficiency of infection control procedures in dentistry. The inferences drawn from the study will support evidence-based practice in this field. The essential knowledge derived from the study will help the policy-makers in making better amendments in the existing practices to enhance the safety of millions of patients treated in dental clinics all over the world.
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