Conhecimento, atitudes e práticas acerca do risco biológico ocupacional e imunização de acadêmicos de odontologia

Abstract

Dentistry courses can play a significant role in the adoption of appropriate attitudes and conductby future professionals in relation to infection control procedures, even more rigorous with the emergence of COVID-19, and appropriate immunization. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of students of the Graduate Course in Dentistry at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora on the occupational biological risks to which dentistry professionals are subject, on the control of infection in dental practice after the COVID-19 pandemic, and on the immunization necessary for the practice of the profession. For this, a self-completed questionnaire wasused, applied to students from the first to the tenth periodof the Graduate Course in Dentistry at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora. The results showed that academics in general do not have enough knowledge regarding immunization. In addition, despite the high risk, the results of this study showed a small rate of accidents with sharps among academics, and the vast majority were instructed in case of exposure. It was also observed that students in pre-clinical periods are more aware of the need to use some personal protective equipment than academics in clinical periods. It is concluded that UFJF dental students have little knowledge regarding immunization, post-exposure conduct and care for patients with infectious and contagious diseases. In addition, it was possible to conclude that there is resistance regarding the use of face shields and mouth breathers by academics during clinical periods.