Job profile and infection control of dental assistants in Tehran, Iran
Journal of Dental School,
Vol. 40 No. 2 (2022),
18 April 2023
,
Page 53-58
https://doi.org/10.22037/jds.v40i2.40196
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate background and job characteristics of dental assistants in Iran and to assess their knowledge and practice about infection control.
Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted on a sample of dental assistants in Tehran. The participants answered an online questionnaire including demographic (age, gender, marital status, and the highest educational attainment) and job related (years in practice, income, working hours, job related educational course and certificate, knowledge and practice regarding infection control) questions.
Objectives This study aimed to investigate the background characteristics and job profile of dental assistants in Iran and to assess their knowledge and practice regarding infection control.
Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of dental assistants in Tehran, Iran. The participants completed an online questionnaire, including demographic (age, sex, marital status, and the highest level of educational attainment) and job-related (years of practice, income, working hours, job-related educational course and certificate, and knowledge and practice related to infection control) information.
Results A total of 386 dental assistants completed the questionnaires. The mean age of the assistants was 29.27±6.8 years, and 96% of them were female. Overall, 56-68% of the respondents reported <5 years of working experience, worked 30-80 hours per week with a monthly salary of nearly $80-100, and completed an educational course on dental assistance. Nearly one-third of the participants reported high satisfaction with their job, and less than 10% of them were satisfied with their salary. The assistants had adequate knowledge about most aspects of infection control. Nearly 40% of them reported no education on infection control, and 35-45% declared that they usually sterilized dental rotary instruments using disinfectants, but not autoclaving. Almost 60% of the assistants reported complete vaccination before entering their job.
Conclusion Dental assistants in Iran are rather young, highly educated women with a relatively high workload, but low job satisfaction. Their professional knowledge and performance were deficient in some aspects, reflecting inadequacies in their education. Delivery of efficient dental services with high standards requires qualified dental personnel with formal academic education based on an efficient credentialing system.
- Dental assistants
- Infection control
- Dental team
- Job satisfaction
How to Cite
References
Baker B, Langelier M, Moore J, Daman S. The dental assistant workforce in the United States, 2015. Rensselaer, NY: Center for Health Workforce Studies, School of Public Health, SUNY Albany. 2015:1-67.
Kracher C, Breen C, McMahon K, Gagliardi L, Miyasaki C, Landsberg K, et al. The evolution of the dental assisting profession. J. Dent. Educ. 2017; 81(9):eS30-7.
Antonova C, Yaneva-Ribagina K. Advantages of dental teamwork. J of IMAB. 2021; 27(2):3663-7.
Dawley J. How the economics of dental assisting is impacting your practice. DA ?. 2020; 89(3):14-6.
Quiñonez C. The politics of dental care in Canada. Can J Dent Hyg. 2022;56(1):47-9.
Ziller S, Eaton KE, Widström E. The healthcare system and the provision of oral healthcare in european union member states. part 1: Germany. Br Dent J. 2015; 218(4):239-44.
Bravo M, San Martín L, Casals E, Eaton KA, Widström E. The healthcare system and the provision of oral healthcare in european union member states. part 2: Spain. Br Dent J. 2015; 219(11):547-51.
Bindi M, Paganelli C, Eaton KA, Widström E. The healthcare system and the provision of oral healthcare in european union member states. Part 8: Italy. Br Dent J. 2017; 222(10):809-17.
Khader YS, Abu‐Sharbain G. Dentist–assistant interaction styles in Jordan. Int J Dent Hyg. 2009; 7(2):131-5.
Bayat F, Vehkalahti MM, Akbarzadeh A, Monajemi F. Varying manpower alters dental health in a developing health care system. Int Dent J. 2022; 72(3):360-5.
Lawshe CH. A quantitative approach to content validity. Pers. Psychol. 1975; 28(4):563-75.
Shooriabi M, Gilavand A, Emam SA. Evaluating the awareness and performance ratio of dental assistants working in dentistry centers of the city of ahvaz in southwest Iran, about infection control. Int. J. Adv. Multidiscip. Res. 2017;7:151-6.
Goetz K, Hasse P, Campbell SM, Berger S, Dörfer CE, Hahn K, et al. Evaluation of job satisfaction and working atmosphere of dental nurses in Germany. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2016; 44(1):24-31.
Al Jazairy YH, Halawany HS, Hussainan NA, Maflehi NA, Abraham NB, Jacob V. Factors affecting job satisfaction and their correlation with educational standards among dental assistants. Ind Health. 2014; 52(4):324-33.
Loretto NR, Caldas Ade F Jr, Coelho Junior LG. Job satisfaction among dental assistants in Brazil. Braz Dent J. 2013; 24(1):53-8.
Szabo S, Nove A, Matthews Z, Bajracharya A, Dhillon I, Singh DR, et al. Health workforce demography: a framework to improve understanding of the health workforce and support achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Hum Resour Health. 2020; 18(1):1-10.
AlDakhil L, Yenugadhati N, Al-Seraihi O, Al-Zoughool M. Prevalence and associated factors for needlestick and sharp injuries (NSIs) among dental assistants in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Environ Health Prev Med. 2019; 24(1):1-7.
Rederiene G, Aidukaite G, Berlin V, Buunk‐Werkhoven YAB, Puriene A. Practice characteristics and views of dental hygienists in Lithuania. Int J Dent Hyg. 2020; 18(4):432-8.
Ohlendorf D, Haas Y, Naser A, Haenel J, Maltry L, Holzgreve F, et al. Prevalence of muscular skeletal disorders among qualified dental assistants. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020; 17(10):3490.
Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare. Minimum Wage and Subordinate Instructions of the Year 2021-2022. Tehran, (2021).
Romero D. Unlicensed dental assistants create a concern to patient safety: doctoral dissertation, university of southern California; 2019. 27664363.
Sasaki JI, Imazato S. Autoclave sterilization of dental handpieces: a literature review. J Prosthodont Res. 2020; 64(3):239-42.
Baismail HM, Alsalem AS, Hawsawi OT, Alanazi FG, Saad T, Alfridy ASA, et al. Attitude and practice of infection control among dental health facilities. Ann Dent Specialty. 2020; 8(4):92-7
- Abstract Viewed: 167 times
- PDF Downloaded: 133 times