The low level of knowledge of standard precautions among BDHW may be related to the inadequacy of the training on the prevention of healthcare-associated infection in the initial curricula and as part of continued education activities. The practice of bucco-dental care requires a closer contact with patients than standard clinical work, exposing to a higher risk of transmission of pathogens. Dental therapeutic procedures are often invasive and produce aerosols that contain biological fluids. All caregivers, patients and the working environment may be subject to soiling. Knowledge and adherence to standard precautions by BDHW is essential to manage their specific health risk associated to exposure to care associated infections.

The research team did not receive confirmation on the existence of infection control committees in the study settings. There is a need to include capacity building of health facilities and health workers at the strategic level, such that both raining/recycling, equipment and supplies to sustain infection prevention activities could be nurtured and prioritized in health policies. Despite the low proportion of trained staff, participants had a good understanding of the practice of hand washing and the systematic use of gloves during bucco-dental care. The low proportion of participants having received SP training in the last five years corroborates observations made elsewhere [21]. There is a need to sustain adherence to good practice through continuing education activities, a compliance booster as BDHW face evolving health technologies and emerging health challenges.

Deficiencies in the supply of PPE, the universal availability of disinfectants, the location of hand washing points were reported as barriers explaining poor compliance with SP among bucco-dental healthcare workers [10].

Though outside the IPC network of activities, heavy workload was reported as a barrier to compliance with standard precautions [22]. Working greater than eight hours per day, working in the night shifts are factors associated with exposure to occupational hazards and medical errors [23].

Almost all participants reported good knowledge and adequate practices related to hand washing. Lower adherence rates (19.4%) were reported in dental care settings in Tunisia [24,25] and Saudi Arabia [26]. The higher adherence reported in the present investigation could be explained by the interest aroused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as there was a widespread availability of disinfectants in healthcare settings. Indeed, the present study took place during the third phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the global measures taken to combat its spread was the promotion and distribution of alcohol-based hand sanitizers in health facilities and public places.

Most participants reported using personal protective equipment, including masks, gloves and gowns when on duty in accordance with the usual instructions [27]. While gloves were routinely worn for all oral and dental care, they were not changed when care was interrupted, a practice similar to those reported in other dental care settings [25–28].

The low rate of use of FFP2 mask was explained by its unavailability in different departments, and its high cost when acquired at the user’s own expense, similar to reports among HCW in Pakistan [27] and Morocco [21].

Less than half of the participants were fully vaccinated against viral hepatitis B. The financial accessibility of the vaccine and the perception of risks could account for the insufficient coverage. Establishing mandatory pre-engagement vaccination against hepatitis B for health workers could be an option [29,30].

The high prevalence of occupational exposure reported in this study is worrying, although it is similar to that reported in Morocco (58.9%) and Côte d’Ivoire (60%) [21,31]. A comprehensive approach including training, awareness raising, implementation of surveillance activities and ensuring adequate supply of necessary equipment and facilities [29,32].