Abstract
The objective of the study was to determine circumstances under which student clinician injuries occur at the Dalhousie University Dental Clinic. Necessary policies and procedures may then be recommended and implemented to decrease the frequency of such occurrences.
Highlights
A percutaneous injury is considered to be the most likely opportunity for clients’ microorganisms to infect a health professional [1]
As stated by Younai, [1] studies show that dental professionals have a relatively small risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission (0 to 0.8%); there are higher rates of hepatitis B (9%), and hepatitis C (1.4%) transmission
Students in the Dalhousie University Dental Clinic reported a total of 187 percutaneous injuries during the academic years 1999/2000 to 2012/13
Summary
A percutaneous injury is considered to be the most likely opportunity for clients’ microorganisms to infect a health professional [1]. Younai [1] states that these injuries are more likely to occur in the dental environment, compared to other health care settings, because of the small operating area of the mouth, the likeliness of the patient to move, and the proximity to sharp dental instruments that frequently become contaminated with blood and saliva. As stated by Younai, [1] studies show that dental professionals have a relatively small risk of HIV transmission (0 to 0.8%); there are higher rates of hepatitis B (9%), and hepatitis C (1.4%) transmission. It is imperative that dental schools collect and analyze injury data to identify potential problems, improve the quality of patient care, and to educate future oral health professionals about injury prevention and risk management [11]
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