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Percutaneous injuries in practicing dentists. A prospective study using a 20-day diary
C Siew1, S E Gruninger, C L Miaw
1Department of Toxicology, American Dental Association Health Foundation, Chicago 60611, USA.
Journal of the American Dental Association (1939)
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Dentists experienced fewer percutaneous injuries, with burs causing most extraoral injuries and needles causing most intraoral injuries. The injury rate has significantly decreased since 1987.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Occupational Health
- Infectious Disease Prevention
Background:
- Percutaneous injuries pose a significant risk to dental professionals.
- Understanding the frequency and nature of these injuries is crucial for prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the current incidence and causes of percutaneous injuries among practicing U.S. dentists.
- To compare current injury rates with historical data.
Main Methods:
- A novel diary study involving 2,304 practicing U.S. dentists.
- Data collected over a one dentist-month period.
- Analysis of injury types (extraoral vs. intraoral) and causative agents.
Main Results:
- Burs were the leading cause of extraoral injuries (40%).
- Syringe needles were the primary cause of intraoral injuries (32%).
- The annualized mean injury rate was 3.35 per dentist, a threefold decrease since 1987.
Conclusions:
- Percutaneous injury rates among dentists have substantially declined.
- Targeted prevention efforts should address burs for extraoral and needles for intraoral injuries.
- Continued surveillance is necessary to maintain and further reduce injury rates.