Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Aim: The present study was conducted to assess the awareness, knowledge and practice towards sterilization protocol and infection control among clinical dental students in Hazaribag district, Jharkhand, India. Methods and Material: The study population comprised of total 175 clinical dental students of Hazaribag College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Hazaribag, Jharkhand. Data was obtained using a prefabricated questionnaire comprising of 30 multiple choice questions, based on Likert scale. These consisted of questions for assessing awareness (10), knowledge (10) and practice (10) regarding sterilization protocol and infection control. Results: The present survey based study on awareness, knowledge and practice towards sterilization protocol and infection control revealed that the majority of clinical dental students showed positive level of awareness, knowledge, and practice for questions based on a sterilization protocol and infection control. Conclusion: In our study, clinical dental students showed a positive level of awareness, knowledge, and practice towards the sterilization protocols and infection control in their day to day practice. However, the more updated and recent advances in sterilization protocols must be administered to the clinical students through educational programs. An additional subject for sterilization protocols must be incorporated in the B.D.S. curriculum so that upcoming dental surgeons must be aware about the various health hazards which can occur by avoiding proper infection control and sterilization protocols. Key words: Sterilization, infection control, Autoclave, Dental students.