Knowledge, attitudes and practices surrounding occupational blood-borne pathogen exposure amongst students in two...

To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices surrounding occupational blood-borne pathogen exposure amongst dental students at two Chinese dental schools, as well as important factors that are associated with their career choice and attitudes towards infected patients.

The study was conducted using a student self-administered questionnaire from March to June 2013 at two Chinese dental schools. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to compare the categorical variables and identify the variables related to attitudes.

One hundred and seventy-one students answered the questionnaire (response rate 83%). Most participants had incomplete knowledge about occupational exposure and participants' compliance with the infection control programme during routine clinical work was low. Fifty-six participants (34%) experienced at least one occupational exposure, but only one reported the incident. Percutaneous injuries and mucous membrane exposures were the main causes for exposure. Protection of the eyes and post-exposure management were inadequate. According to most participants, they had received insufficient education. Their concerns about the risk of infectious professional exposure would influence their career choice and approach to patients. Only 14% and 26% of the participants were willing to treat human immunodeficiency virus- and hepatitis B virus-infected patients, respectively.

More effective education on prevention and management is required for dental students to reduce the harm caused by occupational exposure. It is important to ensure dental students' knowledge and understanding before allowing them to enter clinical training.