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


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Smith
William A J
WA
The University of the West Indies Faculty of Medical Sciences, School of Dentistry, Champs Fleurs, Trinidad. wsmith@fms.uwi.tt
Al-Bayaty
Haytham F
HF
Matthews
R W
RW
D000328:Adult; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003762:Dental Instruments / Q000009:adverse effects; D003797:Dental Staff / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014900:West Indies / Q000453:epidemiology; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000453:epidemiology*