Dental students’ reports of occupational exposures to potentially infectious biological material in a Brazilian School of Dentistry

Camila Pinelli,Leonor De Castro Monteiro Loffredo,Sabrina Do Nascimento Neri

doi:10.1590/1414-462x201600020238

Camila Pinelli, Leonor De Castro Monteiro Loffredo + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1414-462x201600020238

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Abstract

Abstract Introduction Occupational exposures to contaminated biological material in dental teaching settings can place students at higher risk of bloodborne infections. Methods This cross sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire culturally adapted to Portuguese language, Brazil. In total, 173 undergraduate dental students agreed to participate in the study, answered the questionnaire, and filled in the details about their own occupational exposures. The association of these factors was analyzed by the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test using Stata® software. Results High prevalence of occupational exposures (40%) was observed among the participants, and 52% of the accidents were not reported to the clinical instructor. The most frequent type of accident was related to “puncture/cut/abrasion” (56%). Significant correlation was observed between number of exposures and academic year (p=0.002), age (p=0.012), gender (p=0.010), and between number of injuries in the last 6 months and academic year (p=0.003). No significant correlation was observed between number of exposures and dominant hand, use of protective eyewear or Hepatitis B vaccination status (p>0.05). Conclusion Additional teaching strategies need to be developed to motivate adherence to occupational post-exposure protocols regarding biological material, improving the notification of the occupational exposures that occur among dental students.

Highlights

Occupational exposures to contaminated biological material in dental teaching settings can place students at higher risk of bloodborne infections
Some studies have investigated dental students’ knowledge and attitudes in relation to management of occupational exposure in Brazilian dental teaching environments[6,7], and they revealed the ‘long road’ to be traveled in relation to reporting accidents and improving post-exposure procedures to minimize the risks of infection
The aims of the present study were 1) to culturally adapt the original questionnaire proposed by Stewardson et al.[3] so that it becomes available for use as an instrument in such diagnosis, and 2) to investigate the occurrence and nature of occupational exposures in a Public School of Dentistry in Sao Paulo state, Brazil

Summary

Introduction

Occupational exposures to contaminated biological material in dental teaching settings can place students at higher risk of bloodborne infections. 173 undergraduate dental students agreed to participate in the study, answered the questionnaire, and filled in the details about their own occupational exposures. The association of these factors was analyzed by the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test using Stata software. Some studies have investigated dental students’ knowledge and attitudes in relation to management of occupational exposure in Brazilian dental teaching environments[6,7], and they revealed the ‘long road’ to be traveled in relation to reporting accidents and improving post-exposure procedures to minimize the risks of infection. The high prevalence of underreporting such injuries contributes to the lack of data and inappropriate post-exposure management[9]

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Discussion

Conclusion