Patients say hygiene compromised in dental clinics

KABUL (Pajhwok): A number of patients in Kabul complain about non-compliance with hygiene at some dental clinics in the capital.

However, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) claims over the past one and half year, over 400 dental clinics have been sealed due to non-observance of medical rules and regulations.

Mahnaz, a resident of Kabul, told Pajhwok Afghan News some private clinics did not observe hygiene, causing causes health problems for patients.

“I visited several private clinics for dental treatment. However, I failed to receive a positive result. Worse still, the condition of my tooth deteriorated.”

Mahnaz said even after the extraction of a tooth at a private clinic, her wound did not heal despite the passage of several weeks.

“As my condition worsened, I had to go to another doctor, who he used dirty tools to extract my tooth,” she explained, asking MoPH to monitor all health centres to curb violations of rules.

Another patient, who did not want to be named, said: “I went to a clinic in the 5^th district for dental treatment. In the process, I realised was hygiene is not observed.”

He claimed the doctor even did not change the gloves he used while treating the previous patient.

He also questioned the quality of materials used in tooth treatment. He complained his tooth broke off three times in a year even after treatment.

Dr. Mohammad Haroon Baloch, a stomatologist, said: “Poor hygiene in clinics cause transmission of diseases, such as jaundice, AIDS and other deadly ailments.”
Baloch urged doctors to understand all medical principles and rules and use sterile tools while examining patients.

He recommended: “People visiting doctors should take into account all conditions and ensure the place is clean and healthy before proceeding with treatment.”

Dr. Ahmad Salar, a physician of oral and dental diseases, said: “Bacterial and viral ailments are one of contemporary problems.

“One source of transmitting the disease is the use of contaminated medical equipment. Therefore, one of the main concerns of patients is fear of contracting various diseases.”

Meanwhile, MoPH said all the health centres, including dental clinics, were being monitored by the ministry. Doctors must follow medical principles and rules, he stressed.

Dr. Sharafat Zaman, spokesman for MoPH, told Pajhwok: “The ministry had many achievements. In the last one and half year, 425 dental clinics have been sealed due to non-compliance with health rules.”

He warned monitoring teams of the ministry would take action against the doctors violating medical principles and professional regulations.

sa/mud