Resumo

FERREIRA, Raquel Conceição et al. The use of personal protection equipment among dentists in Montes Claros, MG Brazil. Arq. Odontol. [online]. 2010, vol.46, n.2, pp. 88-97. ISSN 1516-0939.

The present study evaluated the prevalence and factors associated with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as the main reasons for its non-use, among dentists. A survey was conducted among all dentists residing and working in Montes Claros, MG Brazil, using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The data were submitted to descriptive, bivariate, and Poisson analyses using the statistical package SPSS v. 17.0. A total of 297 professionals (89.2%) participated in the study. The prevalence of 100% of the time PPE use was: gloves (88.5%), mask (81.7%), apron (76.8%), cap (62.2%), and protective glasses (51.9%). The simultaneous use of all available equipment 100% of the time was reported by 36.6% of the participants. The most common reasons for not using the appropriate equipment included: "not necessary", for masks, aprons, and caps, and "hinders work", for gloves and protective glasses. The variables significantly associated with the use of all available equipment 100% of the time included: sex (OR = 1.67), time intervals between each patient (OR = 1.48), and no vaccination against hepatitis B (OR = 0.32). The use of PPE is still neglected by many dentists in Montes Claros, who justify this action by claiming that the equipment is unnecessary and/ or hinders work. PPE use is higher among women, among dentists who take breaks between each patient, and among those who had been vaccinated against hepatitis B.

Palavras-chave : Exposure to biological agents; Occupational health; Dentistry.