A percutaneous injury by a contaminated instrument is a human bite equivalent.
BACKGROUND
Percutaneous exposure incidents represent an important occupational health issue.


METHODS
A paediatric dentist was cut by a small round bur in a handpiece. A few hours later the elbow became swollen and painful. Since the bur had been contaminated with saliva and oral flora, the injury was treated as a human bite equivalent. An X-ray revealed the broken piece of the bur in the soft tissue of the dentist's elbow.


CONCLUSIONS
Care should be taken to prevent and treat injuries by sharp items, during and also following dental treatment.
Fux Noy
A
A
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, The Hebrew University - Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel. fuxavia@hotmail.com
Shapira
J
J
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D003762:Dental Instruments / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000382:microbiology; D003815:Dentists; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D000092464:Elbow Injuries