Percutaneous injuries of dental personnel at the University of the West Indies, School of Dentistry

Abstract

To report the results of a survey of all percutaneous injuries occurring in 2003-2004 to staff and students at the dental school in Trinidad. Data were collected via 163 questionnaires administered to all dental surgery assistants, the current clinical students (years 3, 4 & 5), the interns, part-time and full-time academic staff. A 71% response rate was obtained. The number of persons reporting one or more sharps injuries at the dental school was 42 (37%). Of these, 17 (40%) were percutaneous. Needlesticks and periodontal scaler injuries were the most common. There was no significant correlation (p>0.05) between injury and gender, age group, dominant hand or needle recapping technique. 75% of respondents described their concern of contracting a blood-borne disease from a sharps injury as "high" and 59% of the respondents followed the school's recommended protocol following the injury. 50% of the injuries among the students and interns were not reported. A more rigorous programme of risk management with respect to sharps injuries needs to be designed and implemented at the school. There is also a need to improve surveillance of and reduce the underreporting of these injuries.