Occupational exposures among dental assistants in public health care facilities, Limpopo Province.

UNLABELLED

The risk of dental assistants acquiring injury and infections from the dental clinics has received little attention, especially in South Africa.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of occupational exposures among dental assistants working in public health care facilities in Limpopo Province.

METHODS

A cross-section study on infection control practice and occupational exposures was conducted among 73 dental assistants.

RESULTS

The sample was predominantly female (95%) with a mean age of 40.2 years (age range 23-54 years). Almost half the respondents (49.1%) had no formal training for their occupation, 22% were nursing assistants and only 10.2% had qualified at a technical college (Technicon). The mean number of clinicians assisted by each participant was 3.8 (SD +/- 1.9). Nearly half of the dental assistants (n = 26) reported an occupational exposure, half of which in turn occurred while handling instruments and 42.3% while assisting. The most common type of injury was a direct puncture (65.3%). Treatment included antiretroviral therapy (19.2%) and wound-cleaning (38.4%), while 42.3% reported that they had had no treatment at all. About 23% of incidents were not reported. Eighty percent changed gloves routinely between patients but 67% did not use protective eye glasses; 62.7% were not vaccinated against HBV.

CONCLUSION

Occupational exposure was found to be unacceptably high and compliance of infection control guidelines was low.