Self-reported needle-stick injuries among dentists in north Jordan

Abstract

The incidence of needle-stick injuries and the reporting attitudes among dentists in the north of Jordan were assessed with a cross-sectional survey. The study included 170 general dental practitioners (119 males and 51 females), of whom 113 (66.5%) were injured within the preceding 12 months. Needle-stick injury was significantly associated with higher age and a higher number of patients treated daily. Of those who were injured, 77.9% did not report the injury. Reasons for not reporting needle-stick injury were: because it took place before use on a patient (41.2%), ignorance of the risk (20.8%), being busy (25.0%) and dissatisfaction with follow-up procedures (13.0%). The study highlights the need for continuous education programmes about handling of sharp dental instruments and reporting injuries.