Jinwei Huang1, Nan Li2, He Xu3, Yong Jiang1, Chuanbin Guo4, Tiejun Li5, Zhigang Cai4, Na An1. 1. Department of General Dentistry Ⅱ, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center of Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing, PR China. 2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, PR China. 3. Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, PR China. 4. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, PR China. 5. Department of Pathology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, PR China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/ PURPOSE: Dental students are particularly vulnerable for needlestick injuries (NSI). However, the epidemiology of NSI exposures among Chinese dental students was rarely reported. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of NSI among dental students in a major teaching institution of China, and to identify associated factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A self-administrated online questionnaire was developed based on previously published studies, and distributed to dental students of Class 2011-2015 recruited from Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-eight dental students including 38.8% of males and 61.2% of females (response rate of 90.0%) completed the survey. Approximately 36.2% of the respondents had sustained at least one NSI. A total of 112 NSI cases were reported. The majority of NSIs were related to the procedures of local anesthesia administration (15.2%) and tooth cleaning or scaling (15.2%). Syringe needles, dental burs and ultrasonic chips were the most notorious devices. Statistical analysis showed significant distribution in NSI occurrence between July-September and October-December. The main cause was lapse in concentration (67.9%), followed by fatigue (22.3%). Up to 66.1% of the exposures occurred when the student was working alone, while only 10.7% with assisting. Unfortunately, 26.8% of the incidents were under-reported. CONCLUSION: Dental students are prone to needlestick injuries. The present study clearly reveals a need for increased awareness of NSI prevention among dental students. The quality of infection control education at dental teaching institutions is crucial and indispensable for reducing NSI exposures.
BACKGROUND/ PURPOSE: Dental students are particularly vulnerable for needlestick injuries (NSI). However, the epidemiology of NSI exposures among Chinese dental students was rarely reported. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of NSI among dental students in a major teaching institution of China, and to identify associated factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A self-administrated online questionnaire was developed based on previously published studies, and distributed to dental students of Class 2011-2015 recruited from Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-eight dental students including 38.8% of males and 61.2% of females (response rate of 90.0%) completed the survey. Approximately 36.2% of the respondents had sustained at least one NSI. A total of 112 NSI cases were reported. The majority of NSIs were related to the procedures of local anesthesia administration (15.2%) and tooth cleaning or scaling (15.2%). Syringe needles, dental burs and ultrasonic chips were the most notorious devices. Statistical analysis showed significant distribution in NSI occurrence between July-September and October-December. The main cause was lapse in concentration (67.9%), followed by fatigue (22.3%). Up to 66.1% of the exposures occurred when the student was working alone, while only 10.7% with assisting. Unfortunately, 26.8% of the incidents were under-reported. CONCLUSION: Dental students are prone to needlestick injuries. The present study clearly reveals a need for increased awareness of NSI prevention among dental students. The quality of infection control education at dental teaching institutions is crucial and indispensable for reducing NSI exposures.
Authors: D A Stewardson; F J T Burke; M M Elkhazindar; E S McHugh; A C Mellor; W A Coulter; C J Palenik Journal: Int Dent J Date: 2004-02 Impact factor: 2.512
Authors: Helenaura P Machado-Carvalhais; Túlio César P M Martins; Maria Letícia Ramos-Jorge; Daniela Magela-Machado; Saul M Paiva; Isabela A Pordeus Journal: J Dent Educ Date: 2007-10 Impact factor: 2.264