A Retrospective Analysis of Non-Sharps-Related Injuries in a Dental School

Workplace non-sharps injuries are a common occurrence in a dental school setting. In dentistry, the importance of preventing non-sharps injuries is often overlooked due to emphasis on sharps-related injuries. The aim of this research was to analyse the incidences of non-sharps injuries over an 11-year period in a dental school to identify trends and the possible causative factors for these injuries.

Injury reports lodged with the University of Queensland Workplace Health and Safety databases between 2009 and 2019 were categorised and analysed.

Of 1156 incidents reported, 35.7% (n = 413) were non-sharps injuries, and the most common type of non-sharps injury was general incidents (48.4%, n = 200). The most common body site for injury was the hands (19.4%, n = 80), and the most common location where an injury occurred was in clinical patient care (53.8%, n = 222). The personnel type most at risk of a non-sharps injury fluctuated between students and staff throughout the study period.

All personnel, including students and staff, are at similar risk of experiencing a non-sharps injury within a dental school setting. The equipment and facilities of a dental clinic as well as the level of adherence to safe working procedures are contributing factors. Continuous quality improvement is essential for minimising these injuries.