Infection control in dental clinics is an important measure to prevent cross infection of microbial pathogens between patients and dental care providers. Dental students should have the optimum knowledge, attitude and practice in this regard. It is essential to explore the studies in the literature that concern this topic. Therefore, the current review highlights the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards infection control in dental training clinics.
References
[1]
Lacerda, R.A. and Egry, E.Y. (1997) As infec？？es hospitalares e sua rela？？o com o desenvolvimento da assistência hospitalar: Reflex？es para análise de suas práticas atuais de controle. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, 5, 13-23. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0104-11691997000400003
[2]
Bromberg, N. and Brizuela, M. (2024) Preventing Cross Infection in the Dental Office. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589669/
[3]
Jain, M., Mathur, A., Sawla, L., Nihlani, T., Ayair, U., Prabu, D., et al. (2010) Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Droplet and Airborne Isolation Precautions among Dental Health Care Professionals in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. MedicinaOralPatologíaOralyCirugiaBucal, 15, e957-e961. https://doi.org/10.4317/medoral.15.e957
[4]
AlAnazy, J. and Mwandenga, W. (2024) Infection Prevention and Control in the Emergency Department Unit in King Khalid Hospital, Hail City, Saudi Arabia. Evidence-BasedNursingResearch, 6, 11-19. https://doi.org/10.47104/ebnrojs.v6i3.340
[5]
Al‐Omari, M.A. and Al‐Dwairi, Z.N. (2005) Compliance with Infection Control Programs in Private Dental Clinics in Jordan. JournalofDentalEducation, 69, 693-698. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.0022-0337.2005.69.6.tb03953.x
[6]
Mutters, N.T., H？gele, U., Hagenfeld, D., Hellwig, E. and Frank, U. (2014) Compliance with Infection Control Practices in a University Hospital Dental Clinic. GMS Hygiene and Infection Control, 9, Doc18.
[7]
McCarthy, G., Ssali, C., Bednarsh, H., Jorge, J., Wangrangsimakul, K. and Page‐Shafer, K. (2002) Transmission of HIV in the Dental Clinic and Elsewhere. OralDiseases, 8, 126-135. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1601-0825.8.s2.3.x
[8]
Kinanti Arti, D.W., Niami, A.R. and Kusniati, R. (2023) Overview of the Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) Implementation in Dental Practice at RSGM Unimus. JMMR(JurnalMedicoeticolegaldanManajemenRumahSakit), 12, 153-162. https://doi.org/10.18196/jmmr.v12i2.49
[9]
Yüzbasioglu, E., Sara？, D., Canbaz, S., Sara？, Y.S. and Cengiz, S. (2009) A Survey of Cross-Infection Control Procedures: Knowledge and Attitudes of Turkish Dentists. JournalofAppliedOralScience, 17, 565-569. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-77572009000600005
[10]
Halboub, E.S., Al-Maweri, S.A., Al-Jamaei, A.A., Tarakji, B. and Al-Soneidar, W.A. (2015) Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Infection Control among Dental Students at Sana’a University, Yemen. Journal of International Oral Health, 7, 15-19.
[11]
Laheij, A.M.G.A., Kistler, J.O., Belibasakis, G.N., V？limaa, H. and de Soet, J.J. (2012) Healthcare-Associated Viral and Bacterial Infections in Dentistry. JournalofOralMicrobiology, 4, Article 17659. https://doi.org/10.3402/jom.v4i0.17659
[12]
Scully, C. and Greenspan, J.S. (2006) Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Transmission in Dentistry. JournalofDentalResearch, 85, 794-800. https://doi.org/10.1177/154405910608500903
[13]
Alharbi, G., Shono, N., Alballaa, L. and Aloufi, A. (2019) Knowledge, Attitude and Compliance of Infection Control Guidelines among Dental Faculty Members and Students in KSU. BMCOralHealth, 19, Article No. 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-018-0706-0
[14]
Rahman, B., Abraham, S.B., Alsalami, A.M., Alkhaja, F.E. and Najem, S.I. (2013) Attitudes and Practices of Infection Control among Senior Dental Students at College of Dentistry, University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. EuropeanJournalofDentistry, 7, S015-S019. https://doi.org/10.4103/1305-7456.119058
[15]
Singh, A., Purohit, B.M., Bhambal, A., Saxena, S., Singh, A. and Gupta, A. (2011) Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Regarding Infection Control Measures among Dental Students in Central India. JournalofDentalEducation, 75, 421-427. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.0022-0337.2011.75.3.tb05055.x
[16]
Gasmi Benahmed, A., Gasmi, A., Anzar, W., Arshad, M. and Bj？rklund, G. (2022) Improving Safety in Dental Practices during the COVID-19 Pandemic. HealthandTechnology, 12, 205-214. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12553-021-00627-6
[17]
Puttaiah, R., Shetty, S., Shetty, D., Dubey, S., Walters, S., Bernstein, I., et al. (2011) Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice of Dental Infection Control and Occupational Safety in India: 1999 and 2010. WorldJournalofDentistry, 2, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10015-1045
[18]
de Souza, R.A., Namen, F.M., Jr, J.G., Vieira, C. and Sedano, H.O. (2006) Infection Control Measures among Senior Dental Students in Rio De Janeiro State, Brazil. JournalofPublicHealthDentistry, 66, 282-284. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-7325.2006.tb04084.x
[19]
Kohn, W.G., Harte, J.A., Malvitz, D.M., Collins, A.S., Cleveland, J.L. and Eklund, K.J. (2004) Cover Story Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health Care Settings—2003. TheJournaloftheAmericanDentalAssociation, 135, 33-47. https://doi.org/10.14219/jada.archive.2004.0019
[20]
Malhotra, V., Kaura, S. and Sharma, H. (2017) Knowledge, Attitude and Practices about Hepatitis B and Infection Control Measures among Dental Students in Patiala. JournalofDentalandAlliedSciences, 6, 65-69. https://doi.org/10.4103/2277-4696.219977
[21]
Hroub, A.A.M. (2017) Assessment of the Infection Control System in Dental Clinics in Hebron District. Master’s Thesis, Al-Quds University. https://dspace.alquds.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/5e9babbf-861e-4fd7-9024-ef9875c0baeb/content
[22]
Ayyad, M.A. (2026) Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Infection Control Protocols among Dental Students and Interns at Al-Quds University. Master’s Thesis, Al-Quds University.
[23]
Menawi, W., Sabbah, A. and Kharraz, L. (2021) Cross-Infection and Infection Control in Dental Clinics in Nablus and Tulkarm Districts. BMCMicrobiology, 21, Article No. 352. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-021-02382-0
[24]
Al-Sharif, R. and Husseini, A. (2023) Assessment of Adherence to Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines among Dentists in the West Bank and Jerusalem. EasternMediterraneanHealthJournal, 29, 205-211. https://doi.org/10.26719/emhj.23.025
[25]
El-saaidi, C., Dadras, O., Musumari, P.M., Ono-Kihara, M. and Kihara, M. (2021) Infection Control Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among Students of Public Dental Schools in Egypt. InternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealth, 18, Article 6248. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126248
[26]
Salih, M.K. (2021) Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Infection Control by Dental Students at the Pedodontics Clinic, College of Dentistry, University of Baghdad, Iraq. InternationalMedicalJournal, 28, 49-53.
[27]
Asif, S., Assiri, K., Naheeda, Kaleem, S., Ibrahim, M. and Alam, T. (2018) Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Infection Control among Dental Students in King Khalid University, Abha. JournalofInternationalOralHealth, 10, 83-87. https://doi.org/10.4103/jioh.jioh_6_18
[28]
Saleem, H., Waly, N. and Abdelgawad, F. (2023) Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) of Post Exposure Prophylaxis for Fifth Year Dental Students at a Private Egyptian University: A Cross-Sectional Study. BMCOralHealth, 23, Article No. 167. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-02890-7
[29]
Dagher, J., Sfeir, C., Abdallah, A. and Majzoub, Z. (2017) Infection Control Measures in Private Dental Clinics in Lebanon. InternationalJournalofDentistry, 2017, Article ID: 5057248. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/5057248
[30]
Kadri, G., Enejjari, Z. and Bouziane, A. (2022) Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards Evidence-Based-Dentistry Regarding Dental Practitioner: A Cross-Sectional Study. AnnalsofMedicine&Surgery, 81, Article ID: 104289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104289
[31]
Azhar, R., Ahsan, S.H., Rasool, S., Jamali, S. and Hussain, B. (2022) Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Infection Control Protocol amongst Dental Professionals—A Cross-Sectional Study. JournalofthePakistanDentalAssociation, 31, 21-26. https://doi.org/10.25301/jpda.311.21
[32]
Dinc？, F.I., Dimitriu, B., S？ndulescu, O., S？rbu, V.D. and S？ndulescu, M. (2024) Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Dental Students from Romania Regarding Self-Perceived Risk and Prevention of Infectious Diseases. DentistryJournal, 12, Article 97. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj12040097
[33]
Qamar, M.K., Shaikh, B.T. and Afzal, A. (2020) What Do the Dental Students Know about Infection Control? A Cross‐Sectional Study in a Teaching Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. BioMedResearchInternational, 2020, Article ID: 3413087. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/3413087
[34]
Mohan, S., Priyank, H., Kumar, G. and Viswanath, B. (2024) Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Undergraduate Dental Students about Sterilization, Disinfection, and Infection Control: A Questionnaire-Based Study. Cureus, 16, e59525. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.59525
[35]
Anteneh, B., Belachew, S.A., Endeshaw, A., Wubneh, Z.B. and Sarkar, B.R. (2019) Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Medical and Health Science Students on the Antiretroviral Based HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis in an Ethiopian Hospital: An Institutional Based Cross-Sectional Study. BMCHealthServicesResearch, 19, Article No. 713. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4611-2
[36]
Silva-Robles, G., Brice？o-Vergel, G., Aroste-Andía, R., Hernández-Huamaní, E., Ladera-Casta？eda, M., Castro-Rojas, M., et al. (2025) Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Dental Students Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Disinfection as a Control Measure to Reduce the Spread of Covid-19. ScientificReports, 15, Article No. 2280. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86155-z
[37]
Antoniadou, M., Sokratous, S., Dimitriou, E. and Tzoutzas, I. (2025) Evaluating Dental Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes toward Antisepsis and Infection Control: An Educational Intervention Study at a Public University Dental Department. Hygiene, 5, Article 24. https://doi.org/10.3390/hygiene5020024
[38]
Binassfour, A.S., Baseer, M.A. and Ingle, N.A. (2024) Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Dental Health Professionals toward Dental Impression Disinfection Protocol during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia—A Cross-Sectional Study. BMCMedicalEducation, 24, Article No. 246. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05238-z
[39]
Alamri, M.S., Alharthi, K.S., Alshalan, M.S., Almutairi, N.M., Ghubayri, A.A., Alshalan, S.S. and Alhubail, H.S. (2024) The Unseen Threat in Dentistry: How to Identify, Prevent, and Overcome Infection Risks in the Modern Dental Clinic. JournalofInternationalCrisisandRiskCommunicationResearch, 7, 588-599.
[40]
Ding, H., Wu, J., Zhao, W., Matinlinna, J.P., Burrow, M.F. and Tsoi, J.K.H. (2023) Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry—A Review. FrontiersinDentalMedicine, 4, Article 1085251. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdmed.2023.1085251
[41]
Ahmed, N., Abbasi, M.S., Zuberi, F., Qamar, W., Halim, M.S.B., Maqsood, A., et al. (2021) Artificial Intelligence Techniques: Analysis, Application, and Outcome in Dentistry—A Systematic Review. BioMedResearchInternational, 2021, Article ID: 9751564. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/9751564
[42]
El Arab, R.A., Almoosa, Z., Alkhunaizi, M., Abuadas, F.H. and Somerville, J. (2025) Artificial Intelligence in Hospital Infection Prevention: An Integrative Review. FrontiersinPublicHealth, 13, Article 1547450. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1547450
[43]
Aldahlawi, S.A., Almoallim, A.H. and Afifi, I.K. (2025) Artificial Intelligence and Hand Hygiene Accuracy: A New Era in Infection Control for Dental Practices. ClinicalandExperimentalDentalResearch, 11, e701. https://doi.org/10.1002/cre2.70150
[44]
Amiri, H., Peiravi, S., Rezazadeh Shojaee, S.S., Rouhparvarzamin, M., Nateghi, M.N., Etemadi, M.H., et al. (2024) Medical, Dental, and Nursing Students’ Attitudes and Knowledge towards Artificial Intelligence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. BMCMedicalEducation, 24, Article No. 412. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05406-1
