The TDICT Project and the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry (UOP) have collaborated for 8 years to address primary prevention of blood exposure in dental health care settings. One component has been systematic collection of sharps injury data from dental schools. The current study has expanded to include data from 9 dental and hygiene schools in California, Massachusetts, Maryland and New York. All are located in urban areas with significant HIV+ populations. The original reporting form was developed by the TDICT project and UOP as a standard data collection instrument. The form has been revised to provide better information for designing improved safety devices; to address specific reporting needs of the collaborating institutions; and to address reporting requirements in California. 200 exposure reports were collected and analyzed, looking at hours worked prior to injury, professional experience of the injured worker, instrument in use at time of injury, procedure in progress, site of injury, individuals' perceptions of circumstances contributing to the exposure and other parameters. As in a study conducted at UOP, senior dental students were the group most frequently reporting exposures. Differences among institutions appeared to result from different institutional reporting and follow-up procedures rather than from safety training or work environment differences. The study has created a network of dental schools that can share information and knowledge and assist the TDICT project in promoting appropriate engineering controls to prevent blood exposures in dentistry. In addition to quantitative data, proposals for advancing this area will be presented.
Learning Objectives: Attendees who visit this poster presentation will be able to discuss the health and safety differences between dental and medical care settings; identify 3 engineering controls which can be used in the dental operatory to prevent blood exposure; and describe the steps required to go from data gathering to design of better safety devices
Keywords: Occupational Exposure, Medical Devices
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.