Evaluation of the Risk of Percutaneous Injuries in Students of a Brazilian University – A Preliminary Report

ABSTRACT

Objective:  To evaluate the risk of percutaneous injuries (PCIs) that novice predoctoral operators undergo due to non-compliance with biosafety standards in the Endodontics clinic.

Material and Methods:  This is a prospective longitudinal observational study, developed for two years, which included 120 dental students from the Endodontic Clinic of Dentistry course. The following circumstances were analyzed: burs left in the handpiece after use; bare needles lying on the instrument tray or being recapped with two hands; cannulas left in the suction; Gates-Glidden drills left in the micromotor; and biosafety violations involving endodontic files. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test (α=5%).

Results:  The sample consisted of 75% women (90). Ninety-nine students (82.50%) were involved in situations that could cause percutaneous injuries. Despite the risk, no accidents occurred during the study period. In total, 364 situations involving risk of percutaneous injuries were observed. In this study, 209 (57.4%) cases of burs left in the handpiece after use were observed, 60 (16.5%) cases of aspiration cannulas left in the suction, 52 (14.3%) cases of bare needles on the instrument tray or being recapped with two hands, 26 (7.1%) cases of Gates-Glidden drills left in the micromotor socket and 17 (4.7%) cases of biosafety violations involving endodontic files. A significant difference (p<0.05) was observed between the 5 types of risk situations.

Conclusion:  There was a high percentage of the risk of percutaneous injuries in novice predoctoral operators. Burs left in the handpiece after use were the most encountered risk situation, and most novice predoctoral operators in the Endodontic Clinic disrespected biosafety standards.

Keywords:
Accidental Injuries; Education, Dental; Endodontics; Containment of Biohazards