Publication

Abstract : Introduction: Fire safety is essential component and requirement in building infrastructure plans and provision of fire safety systems is mandatory even in dental care settings. Knowledge regarding the use of these systems in various instances is essential to all health care workers including dentists, dental students and auxiliaries. Aim: To assess the knowledge and attitudes of fire safety among undergraduate, postgraduate dental students and staff in Amrita School of Dentistry and to find any association between education level and knowledge regarding fire safety. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted by distributing a 20 itemed self-administered questionnaire which consisted of 4 dichotomous responses, 6 rating scale responses, 3 multiple responses and 7 open ended questions. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: A total of 270 participated in the study. Nearly half of the participants have a positive attitude towards fire safety and very few participants knew the way to use fire control measures in case of fire accident. Conclusion: There was an appreciably good knowledge about fire safety among dentists and dental students with a positive attitude towards safe practice.