Evaluation of General Dentists’ Knowledge about the Function, Safety, and Infection Control of the Dental Light-Curing Units in Kerman in ۲۰۱۷

Background: Light-curing dental restorative materials are currently used extensively. The effective use of these materials increases their properties and prevents damage to the tooth nerve. This study investigated general dentists’ knowledge about the function, safety, and infection control of light-curing units (LCUs) in Kerman in ۲۰۱۷. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on ۱۷۰ general dentists. The data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire that assessed the dentists' demographic information and measured their knowledge of LCUs (۷ items) and safety and infection control (۲ items). The collected data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test (P = ۰.۰۵) with SPSS ۲۰ software. Results: The respondents’ mean age and dental service history were ۳۵.۷۷±۹.۲۵ and ۹.۹۷±۸.۰۸ years, respectively. The lifetime of the LCUs in ۱۰۵ cases (۶۱.۸%) was more than ۵ years. Moreover, ۱۲۳ dentists (۷۲.۴%) did not have radiometers. It was also shown that ۶۱.۸% of the dentists were not aware of the light intensity of their light-curing units, but ۶۸.۸% of them were well aware of it. Most of the respondents used protective eyewear during dental services. The most common way to control unit infection was to use cellophane. The respondents’ mean knowledge score was ۶.۰۰±۱.۴۲ out of ۷. The knowledge score had a statistically significant relation with having a radiometer, the number of daily composite restorations, and the lifetime of the unit. Conclusion: Given the technological advancements in dentistry, increasing dentists’ knowledge of using LCUs is essential to increase the life and quality of restorations.

Keywords:

Light curing unit , Knowledge , safety , dentists , Resin Composite , Infection Control