초록
The aim of this study was to investigate the level of dental infection control experienced by dental hygiene students in clinical practice institutions to identify problems and improve infection control in dental institutions. This study conducted online surveys targeting 269 dental hygiene students from universities that conducted clinical practice to determine the students' level of awareness regarding dental infection control in dental institutions and the reality of infection control in dental institutions. The results showed that dental hygiene students recognized the need for infection control and education about infection control at a high level. However, only 47% of the students were accurately informed about COVID-19. Basic instruments, periodontal instruments, and implant surgical instruments were sterilized after use for each patient, mostly by the institution, but 3-way syringe tips, preservation instruments and prosthetic instruments were more frequently reused without sterilization immediately after use. For dental infection control to be practiced at dental institutions, it is necessary to establish a systematic and safe infection control system, including infection control education, designation of infection managers, and provision of infection control guidelines.