Pre and post-exposure preventive measures to injuries caused by percutaneous instruments during dental practice

Authors

  • Cleonice da Silveira Teixeira Alcides da Silveira e Maria Zilma Boeing da Silveira
  • Braulio Pasternak-Júnior
  • Yara Teresinha Corrêa Silva-Sousa
  • Sílvio Rocha Corrêa Silva

Keywords:

Occupational risk, prevention, biosafety

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of injuries caused by percutaneous instruments among dentists, verify the use of equipment for individual protection (EPI) and the measures taken after the accident. Methods: The sample was composed by dentists, who worked in Santa Catarina state and attended continuing education courses at UFSC in 2005. Data were collected by means of a self-applied and semi-structured questionnaire on general information about prevention, use of EPI, and occurrence of accidents. Results: Eighty dentists answered the questionnaire and 73% had at least one accident. The prevalence of routine use of EPI was: disposable gloves and masks (100%); eyeglasses (96%); gowns (97%); caps (52%), and rubber dam (56%). Omission of EPI use was not the main reason for accidents, but lack of attention (71%) and hurry (35%) were mostly cited. Only 22% of dentists were submitted to post-exposure preventive measures after accidents; most dentists only washed the injury (69%). The materials and instruments mostly reported as the cause of accidents were: drills, needles, curettes, root elevators, knife blades, and endodontic files. Conclusion: This study suggests that it is necessary to improve the orientation and awareness of dentists on the correct post-exposure management of injuries caused by percutaneous instruments. Key words: Occupational risk; prevention; biosecurity

Author Biographies

Cleonice da Silveira Teixeira, Alcides da Silveira e Maria Zilma Boeing da Silveira

Doutoranda em Endodontia pela UNAERP; Professora de Endodontia da UFSC e Professora convidada do curso de Especialização em endodontia da UFSC. Mestre em odontologia pela UFSC e Especialista em Endodontia pela mesma instituição.

Braulio Pasternak-Júnior

Doutorando em endodontia pela UNAERP. Mestre e especialista em endodontia pela UFSC. Professor de endodontia da UNISUL. Coordenador do curso de especialização em Endodontia da ABO/SC.

Yara Teresinha Corrêa Silva-Sousa

Coordenadora do Programa de Pós-graduação da UNAERP; Mestre e Doutora em Patologia pela USP-RP e Professora Titular em Odontopediatria e Semiologia da UNAERP

Sílvio Rocha Corrêa Silva

Professor de Bioestatística e Fundamentos de Epidemiologia da UNAERP e UNESP; Especialista, Mestre e Doutor em Saúde Pública pela USP.

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Published

2008-06-18

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 1 (2008)

Section

Original Article

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