A survey of needle sticks and other sharp injuries among dental undergraduate students

Abstract

Health-care workers (HCWs) including dental students are at occupational risk of exposure to blood-borne viruses (BBV) following needle sticks and sharp injuries (NSIs). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of NSIs among dental students and evaluate the circumstances in acquiring such injuries. A survey was carried out of all clinical dental students in the College of Dentistry, Ajman University of Science and Technology, United Arab Emirate (UAE) by means of an anonymous self-administered questionnaire that asked questions on demography, number, type, level of knowledge of inoculation injuries and associated risks of exposure to BBV, management and reporting of such exposures. Of 230 dental students that responded to the questionnaire (response rate of 92 percent), 64 (27.9%) were males and 166 (72.1%) were females, 132 (57.3%) were 4 th year students and 98 (42.7%) from 5 th year students. Of the total sample, 53 students reported having had an inoculation injury, resulting in a 0.23 sharp injury events per student per year. Recapping a needle, administering local anesthesia and performing scaling and polishing procedures were the most important causes of NSIs among dental students (60.3%, 32/53). Despite a comprehensive educational programme and training for dental students, knowledge of inoculation injuries and associated issues remained inadequate. The findings of this study confirm that dental students experience NSIs but are not likely to report them, thus it is important that the principles of infection control training and reporting of all NSIs continue to be emphasized throughout undergraduate dental education.

Percutaneous exposure incidents: a review of practice and awareness of current protocols at a Dental Faculty

“…Estimates based on data from Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other studies suggest that the risk of acquiring HIV as a result of NSIs is 0.3%, 5–45% for HBV and 2.7–10% for HCV among HCPs. Although the probability of being infected with a BBP as a result of a single PEI is low, it can have detrimental effects on a DCP's professional and personal life.…”

“…Recent research has highlighted that knowledge related to and compliance after, PEIs in DCPs is inadequate. There has only been a small amount of data available regarding percutaneous and mucous membrane exposure incidents in students, academic/clinical staff and helping staff of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, New Zealand.…”

Needle stick injuries and awareness towards post exposure prophylaxis for HIV among private general practitioners of Davangere city

“…With this background the present study has been undertaken. [10][11][12][13][14][15] The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of needle stick injuries (NSI) and factors affecting NSI among private general practitioners, awareness towards post exposure prophylaxis for HIV among private general practitioners, practice of post exposure prophylaxis for HIV among private general practitioners.…”

Incidence of Needlestick Injuries in Oral Surgery Clinic among Dental Students: A Retrospective Study

“…In a study by Osman,6 69.9% of students were exposed to the sharp instruments injury during their study of 12 months. In contrast, Jaber 3 reported NSIs in only 23% of dental students in their study of 230 students, and among these injuries, 26% injuries occurred while recapping of the needles. Furthermore, a study by Mungure et al 10 found NSIs in 29% of the dental students.…”

“…Hepatitis B virus, HCV, and HIV are the most common blood-borne viruses transmitted occupationally from infected staff to patients or from infected patients to the staff. 3 By investigating and inspecting the causes of injuries, valuable facts may be gathered. Evidence regarding the circumstances surrounding the conveyed injury may be valuable in preventing further injuries by revising work practices.…”