A retrospective analysis of non-sharps related injuries in a dental school setting’’

Abstract

Background Workplace non-sharps injuries are a common occurrence in a dental school setting. In dentistry, the importance of preventing non-sharps injuries is often overlooked due to emphasis on sharps-related injuries in clinical and laboratory settings. To analyse the incidences of non-sharps injuries over a 10 year period in a dental school to identify trends and the possible causative factors for these injuries. Methods Injury reports lodged with the UQ Workplace Health and Safety databases between 2009 and 2019 were categorised and analysed. Results Of 1156 incidents reported, 35.7% (n = 413) were non-sharps injuries, the most common type of non-sharps injury was general incidents (48.4%, n = 200). The most common body site for injury was the hands (19.4%, n = 80) and the most common location where an injury occurred was when working in clinical patient care (53.8%, n = 222). The personnel type most at risk of a non-sharps injury fluctuated between students and staff throughout the study period. Conclusions All personnel, including students and staff, are at similar risk of experiencing a non-sharps injury within a dental school setting. The equipment and facilities of a dental clinic as well as adherence to safe working procedures and correct protocols are contributing factors. Continuous quality improvement is essential for minimising these injuries.