Abstract
Introduction: Dental surgeons are at higher risk of getting exposed to blood-borne pathogens like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Therefore, dental surgeons should have updated knowledge on Occupational Exposures (OE) and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for blood-borne infections. Objective: To assess the level of knowledge on Occupational Exposures (OE) and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for blood-borne viral infections among government dental surgeons, in four hospital units in the Colombo district. Method: Cross sectional descriptive study was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire among all dental surgeons (143) in dental units of four teaching hospitals in the Colombo district. namely; National Dental (Teaching) Hospital, Colombo, Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila, and Institute of Oral Health, Maharagama, in 2019. Results: Almost three fourth (74.3%) of dental surgeons had experienced OEs. Needle pricks identified as the common occupational injury. About 55% dental surgeons knew about the immediate measures required to be taken after an OE but, only 7% had gone through the PEP counseling process. Majority of dental surgeons 87.1% had been vaccinated for HBV. However, only 66% knew about their antibody titres. The majority of dental surgeons had better knowledge on PEP for HIV than PEP for HBV and HCV. Conclusions: Occupational exposures commonly occur among dental surgeons. More PEP training & awareness programs are required for dental surgeons to improve their safety.
Highlights
Dental surgeons are at higher risk of getting exposed to blood-borne pathogens like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
About 55% dental surgeons knew about the immediate measures required to be taken after an Occupational Exposures (OE) but, only 7% had gone through the Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) counseling process
There is limited information on the incidence and risk of exposure to Blood-Borne Infections (BBI) among dental surgeons in Sri Lanka basically due to a lack of researches conducted in this regard. [5,6] This information is important in designing effective PEP related intervention programs
Summary
Dental surgeons are at higher risk of getting exposed to blood-borne pathogens like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Dental surgeons should have updated knowledge on Occupational Exposures (OE) and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for blood-borne infections. 66,000 Hepatitis B, 16,000 Hepatitis C, and 200-500 HIV infections are developed among HCWs, due to exposure to infectious material.[4] The most common form of Occupational Exposure to blood is needle prick injury. Among the HCWs, dental practitioners have high exposure risk to infectious materials. They are exposed to blood and body fluid (saliva contaminated with blood). There is limited information on the incidence and risk of exposure to Blood-Borne Infections (BBI) among dental surgeons in Sri Lanka basically due to a lack of researches conducted in this regard. Dental surgeons are prone to exposures due to frequent use of sharp instruments and highspeed rotary instruments that produce contaminated aerosols. [2] measures should be taken to prevent or minimize OEs among dental surgeons, but the knowledge on PEP is important in a situation when there is an unexpected OE.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Sri Lanka Journal of Sexual Health and HIV Medicine
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
