The Effect of Adherence to Infection Control Guidelines at Dental Clinics: Review Article

Background: Dental clinics represent high-risk environments for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) due to frequent exposure to blood, saliva, and aerosol-generating procedures such as drilling and scaling. These factors pose significant infection risks for both patients and dental healthcare workers (DHCWs), underscoring the critical need for stringent infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.
Aim: This review aimed to analyze the existing evidence on dental clinics’ adherence to infection control guidelines and its impact on infection prevalence, patient outcomes, and healthcare systems.
Methods: A descriptive literature review was conducted using databases and authoritative sources, including centers for disease control and prevention (CDC), WHO, and Americans with disabilities act (ADA). The review focused on core IPC components—hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, equipment sterilization, and environmental sanitation—to evaluate their role in reducing dental infection incidence. The writers evaluated relevant literature references as well. Documents written in languages other than English was ignored. Papers that were not regarded as significant scientific research included dissertations, oral presentations, conference abstracts, and unpublished manuscripts were excluded.
Conclusion: Evidence demonstrated that strict adherence to IPC protocols significantly reduced HAIs in dental settings. Clinics maintaining high compliance—through consistent hand hygiene, appropriate PPE use, effective sterilization, and environmental cleanliness—report a 30–50% reduction in infection rates. Adherence mitigates pathogen transmission (including Streptococcus mutans and Mycobacterium tuberculosis), enhances patient and DHCW safety and decreases antimicrobial resistance and healthcare costs. Conversely, poor compliance, especially in resource-limited contexts, correlated with elevated infection risks and economic strain. Adherence to IPC guidelines is pivotal for safe dental practice. Sustained compliance, supported by continuous education, optimal staffing, auditing, and antimicrobial stewardship, is essential to reduce infection rates and alleviate the clinical and economic burden of HAIs in dental care.