[Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids in a Department of Odontostomatologic Sciences: results of a ten-year surveillance study].
BACKGROUND
Evaluation of occupational exposures can assist with practice modifications, redesign of equipment, and targeted educational efforts.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this analysis was to identify trends that will aid in the prediction and prevention of accidents.


METHODS
Our data were collected from 1999 to 2008 during a surveillance programme of occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials in a middle Dental School by using a standard coded protocol.


RESULTS
Altogether 51 exposures were reported. Of these, 45/51 (88%) were percutaneous and 6/51 (12%) were of the mucosa, involving a splash in the eye of dental care workers (DCW). Of these 22/51 (43%) occurred among dental students, 17/51 (33%) among DCWs attending master and doctorate courses, 11/51 (22%) among DCWs attending as tutors and visiting professors and 1/51 (2%) among staff. Regarding the circumstances of the exposures, 37/51 (73%) and 14/51 (27%) of the accidents occurred respectively during and after the use of a device; of latter, 1/14 (7%) was connected with instrument cleaning and with laboratory activity, 10/14 (71%) occurred when a DCW collided with a sharp object, and 2/14 (4%) happened during other activities. The instrument and the body part most likely to be involved were needles and fingers. The overall exposure rate was 5.15 +/- 0.72 standard error per 10,000 patient procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results may serve as a benchmark that other Dental Schools could adopt to assess accident frequency.
Gatto
Maria Rosaria
MR
Dipartimento di Scienze Odontostomatologiche Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna. mariarosaria.gatto@unibo.it
Bernardi
F
F
Bandini
Luciana
L
Prati
C
C
D000328:Adult; D001769:Blood; D001826:Body Fluids; D003813:Dentistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult