Schuman N J, Owens B M, Turner J E
Department of Biologic and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee, Memphis, USA.
Compend Contin Educ Dent. 1996 Oct;17(10):986, 990-5.
Injuries associated with the category of dental surgical instruments known as "sharps" (i.e., syringe needles, glass, scalpel blades, dental burs, and hand instruments) are a serious concern for dental professionals because of the possible transmission of communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Hepatitis B virus has been recognized as an occupational hazard for dentists and other health-care professionals for several decades. The transmission of HIV from dentist to patient in the dental office has been known to occur in only one practice, and the vector of transmission remains unknown. No dentist has ever been reported to have contracted HIV from a patient. Adherence to infection-control procedures, especially barrier protection, has been linked closely to keeping the incidence of these infections low. This article discusses the results of an anonymous survey about "sharps" injuries and communicable diseases that was given to dentists/faculty, students, and support staff at an urban dental-school clinic.
