Evaluating the prevalence of practice-related injuries among dental College Students- University of Damascus - a Cross sectional study

Abstract

Aim: Assessing the prevalence and frequency of exposure to injury among students of the dental college- and the extent of awareness regarding its management. Materials and Methods: The study sample included 243 students of the 5th year, where assessed by specifically designed questionnaire. Results: 100% were exposed to dental instruments injuries ranging from 2 to 7 incidents in clinics and laboratories, especially clinic of restorative dentistry (41.6%) and laboratory of dental anatomy and tooth carving (23%), Students of the 2nd year showed the highest knowledge about exposure and risks (37.9%). Burs (72.4%) and NSIs (45.7%) were the main cause of injuries, while (31.3%) ocular injuries were registered. Real differences with statistical significance (P>0.05) at confidence level of 95% were registered between each of the following: Exposure/non-exposure to injury when comparing the 3 types of injury: puncture/cut/abrasion, between gender and injury location in both fixed and removable prosthodontics clinics, and fixed prosthetics laboratory, Between exposure to injury in the endodontic clinic and the orthodontic laboratory and (puncture injury), Between exposure to injury in anatomy & dental carving, and orthodontic laboratories, and (cut injury), Between exposure to injury in the tooth extraction clinic and (abrasion injury). (46.5%) don’t know how to practice needle recapping, where females (30.9%) knew the procedure more than males (22.6%). Conclusions: Within this study limits, it can be concluded: Many students have not received Hepatitis B vaccine despite its availability at the college. It remains questionable that many students didn’t know about exposure risks before the 4Th year of study at the college, others continued working without taking any action, and some (even some supervisors) acted without knowing how to manage exposure.