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Occupational Blood Exposures in Dentistry: A Decade in Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Jennifer L. Cleveland ,
Barbara F. Gooch  and
Stuart A. Lockwood
Jennifer L. Cleveland*
Affiliation:
Division of Oral Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chamblee, Georgia
Barbara F. Gooch
Affiliation:
Division of Oral Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chamblee, Georgia
Stuart A. Lockwood
Affiliation:
Division of Oral Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chamblee, Georgia
*
Cleveland, DDS, MPH, Division of Oral Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, MS F-10, Chamblee, GA 30341
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Abstract

This review summarizes data from self-reported and observational studies describing the nature, frequency, and circumstances of occupational blood exposures among US dental workers between 1986 and 1995. These studies suggest that, among US dentists, percutaneous injuries have declined steadily over the 10-year period. Data also suggest that, in 1995, most dental workers (dentists, hygienists, assistants, and oral surgeons) experienced approximately three injuries per year. Work practices (eg, using an instrument instead of fingers to retract tissue), safer instrumentation or design (eg, self-sheathing needles, changes in dental-unit design), and continued worker education may reduce occupational blood exposures in dentistry further.

Type
Review
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 18 , Issue 10 , October 1997 , pp. 717 - 721
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1997

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