[Management of occupational exposures to potentially infectious materials in dentistry].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether post-exposure measures referred by dentists and dental assistants are in line with those recommended by Brazilian health authorities.


METHODS
An epidemiological survey was carried out in a city of Southern Brazil, in 2003. Subjects (289 dentists and 104 dental assistants) were selected through random systematic sampling. Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires.


RESULTS
Washing the exposure site was the most common measure taken by dentists (98.5%) and assistants (89.2%) after sustaining a percutaneous injury. More dentists asked the patients if they carried blood-borne viruses after sustaining a percutaneous injury (44.6%) than a splash to a mucous membrane (14.3%). Taking post-exposure prophylaxis, notifying the accident and requesting blood tests to patients were the least remembered and taken measures by dentists and assistants. After sustaining an occupational exposure to potentially infectious materials, 10.8% of dentists and 2.7% of dental assistants sought medical care.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the Brazilian Ministry of Health recommendations, post-exposure management among the study population was considered, in general, inadequate, especially among dental assistants.
Garcia
Leila Posenato
LP
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Pública, Departamento de Saúde Pública, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. leilapg@matrix.com.br
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Vera Lúcia Guimarães
VL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003727:Dental Auxiliaries; D003815:Dentists; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires