Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids in a Department of Odontostomatologic Sciences: results of a ten-year surveillance study

"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. Objectives: 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.