Journal of Ilam University of Medical Sciences

fa Investigation the environmental health status of dental clinics in Ilam city in 2024 Investigation the environmental health status of dental clinics in Ilam city in 2024 بهداشت محیط Environmental health پژوهشي Research <div style="text-align: left;">Introduction: Dental clinics, as public centers, must adhere to environmental health principles to reduce the risks of contamination and the spread of dangerous infectious diseases. Failure to follow these principles can endanger the health of dentists, patients, and staff. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the state of environmental health status of dental clinics in Ilam City in the year 2024. Materials & Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 13 active dental clinic units in Ilam City were investigated using a census method. The required information was collected by reviewing existing documents in urban comprehensive health service centers and based on a health inspection checklist for dental offices with form code 920318/111 approved by the Ministry of Health. The collected data were analyzed using Excel software. Results:  In the survey, the individual health indicators, health deficiencies were observed in the studied dental clinics, including the lack of use of clean, intact, light-colored lab uniforms and personal protective equipment in 46.38% of cases and improper disinfection of the suction unit and its components in 15.46% of clinics. In the tools and equipment section, proper disinfection and sterilization of the tools and equipment used showed non-compliance rates of 46.15% and 53.85%, respectively. In the building health and safety section, the condition of ventilation was adequate in 46.15% of cases, and fire extinguishers with valid charges complied with regulations in 53.85% of cases. Conclusion:  In order to improve the health indicators of the dental clinics in this study and address health non-compliances, particularly in the areas of instrument and equipment hygiene and waste management, it is recommended to conduct training courses on the principles of disinfection and sterilization of instruments, ensure continuous supervision by environmental health experts, implement self-monitoring and self-reporting health processes, raise awareness about the use of standard personal protective equipment, and provide the necessary infrastructure to utilize the capabilities of private companies involved in the management and safe disposal of infectious waste generated in the dental clinics under study.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;">Introduction: Dental clinics, as public centers, must adhere to environmental health principles to reduce the risks of contamination and the spread of dangerous infectious diseases. Failure to follow these principles can endanger the health of dentists, patients, and staff. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the state of environmental health status of dental clinics in Ilam City in the year 2024. Materials & Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 13 active dental clinic units in Ilam City were investigated using a census method. The required information was collected by reviewing existing documents in urban comprehensive health service centers and based on a health inspection checklist for dental offices with form code 920318/111 approved by the Ministry of Health. The collected data were analyzed using Excel software. Results:  In the survey, the individual health indicators, health deficiencies were observed in the studied dental clinics, including the lack of use of clean, intact, light-colored lab uniforms and personal protective equipment in 46.38% of cases and improper disinfection of the suction unit and its components in 15.46% of clinics. In the tools and equipment section, proper disinfection and sterilization of the tools and equipment used showed non-compliance rates of 46.15% and 53.85%, respectively. In the building health and safety section, the condition of ventilation was adequate in 46.15% of cases, and fire extinguishers with valid charges complied with regulations in 53.85% of cases. Conclusion:  In order to improve the health indicators of the dental clinics in this study and address health non-compliances, particularly in the areas of instrument and equipment hygiene and waste management, it is recommended to conduct training courses on the principles of disinfection and sterilization of instruments, ensure continuous supervision by environmental health experts, implement self-monitoring and self-reporting health processes, raise awareness about the use of standard personal protective equipment, and provide the necessary infrastructure to utilize the capabilities of private companies involved in the management and safe disposal of infectious waste generated in the dental clinics under study.  </div> Dental office, dental clinic, environmental health, Ilam city Dental office, dental clinic, environmental health, Ilam city 3 13 http://sjimu.medilam.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-3613-3&slc_lang=fa&sid=1 Sajad Mazloomi Sajad Mazloomi mazloomi-s@medilam.ac.ir 9600319475328460050960 9600319475328460050960 No Health and Environment Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Health and Environment Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Seyyedeh Zeinab Tahmasebi Seyyedeh Zeinab Tahmasebi zeynabtahmasbi8080@gmail.com 9600319475328460050961 9600319475328460050961 No Student Research Committee, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Student Research Committee, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Masoumeh Amarloei Masoumeh Amarloei sajad.mazloomi@gmail.com 9600319475328460050962 0009-0009-8786-2140 No School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China Ali Amarloei Ali Amarloei amarloei@yahoo.com 9600319475328460050963 9600319475328460050963 Yes Dept of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Dept of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran