Accidental occupational exposures occurring among dental healthcare workers in dental clinics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess the occurrence of accidental occupational exposure among healthcare workers in the dental settings in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and to compare it to what is happening in other parts of the world. MATERIALS and METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed among dental specialists, general practitioners, dental interns, hygienists and dental assistants working in the dental college, private clinics and government hospitals in Riyadh. RESULTS: The response rate was 41.8%. Only 93 (31.7%) of the respondents had one or more occupational injuries during the previous year. Over half (58.2%) of these respondents did not report the incident and only 51.6% and 40.9% wore goggles and gowns, respectively. About 6% of the female respondents recalled having three or more injuries compared to none of the male respondents but this difference was not found to be statistically significant(P=0.22). Specialistsshowedthehighestpercentage(73.9%)ofnoinjuries(P=0.18).Thetotaloccupationalexposure of the 293 respondents was 168 injuries, giving an injury rate of 0.57 per person per year. Of these 168 injuries, 89.2% involved a fingerorthumb.Themajorityoftheoccupationalinjuries(82.8%)occurredinthedentaloperatoryandthe syringe needle was the most common instrument causing the injuries. The study also showed that the adherence to infection control practices among the sample was inadequate and under reporting of exposure incidence was noticed. About 17% of the sample did not complete or did not receive any HBV vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the occurrence of accidental occupational exposure among the dental healthcare workers in Riyadh is low and is comparable to reports from other parts of the world.