Percutaneous injuries amongst Greek endodontists: a national questionnaire survey

Abstract

To investigate amongst Greek endodontists the incidence of percutaneous injuries, the circumstances associated with them, the therapeutic measures taken after the injuries and their compliance with infection control measures. One hundred and forty-seven endodontists met the inclusion criteria and were invited to participate in the survey. Personal and professional data, information on percutaneous injuries in the past 5 years and on infection control practices were gathered through interviews based on a questionnaire. Data were analysed using chi-square test, independent samples t-test, one-way anova and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The level of significance was set at P = 0.05. The response rate was 84%. The injury rate was estimated at 1.35 per endodontist per year. Endodontic files were associated with 37% of the injuries and fingers were injured in 75% of the most recent cases. Medical assistance was sought in 36% of the most recent injuries. Endodontists who always or usually practiced 4-handed endodontics (P = 0.007) as well as those not performing surgical endodontics (P = 0.007) reported significantly fewer injuries. In 91% of the participants, a complete hepatitis B virus vaccination was reported. Gloves, masks, rubber dam isolation and puncture-resistant containers for disposal of sharp instruments were always used by 98%, 94%, 100% and 81% of the respondents, respectively. The injury rate was low. The practice of four-handed endodontics was associated with a reduced number of percutaneous injuries; the performance of surgical endodontics increased their incidence. Greek endodontists showed a high level of compliance with infection control measures.