Handpiece asepsis among dental practitioners in Mosul City

Abstract Aims: To investigate the incidence of handpiece asepsis in general dental practice in Mosul City and to evaluate the problems associated with routine handpiece sterilization which are commonly needed by those practitioners. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was designed to collect the information about handpiece asepsis techniques performed by dentists. One hundred twenty dentists in Mosul City were randomly selected and the data were analyzed. Results: About 55.8% of the respondents know about the importance of handpiece sterilization, but no one do ideal sterilization between each patient due to absence of sufficient number of handpiece and lack of autoclave system in clinics. No one disinfect the handpiece scientifically; 59.38% smear the handpiece between each patient by one of the antiseptic solutions. Conclusion: Handpiece asepsis in Mosul dental clinics is poor. Most of dentists depend on disinfection by disinfectant solution to prevent cross infection by handpieces. Most dentists, because of their poor equipment in both private and national clinics, cannot sterilize handpieces after each patient