Assessment of occupational risks of bloodborne infectious diseases for dental personnel

Abstract

Background. Awareness of dental workers about the epidemiology of blood-borne infections (HIV infection, hepatitis B and C), as well as knowledge about actions in case of an incident at the workplace with contact with blood and other biological fluids are a key link in the prevention of listed infections. Aims: assessment of awareness and adherence of dental personnel to the algorithm of post-exposure prophylaxis of occupational infections with blood-borne pathogens. Materials and methods. The study design is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The objects of the study are the dental staff of public and private dental clinics in Kazan, Russia. A survey of dental staff (n=173) was conducted in February-March 2023. The proportion of incidents caused by contact with blood and their nature among dental staff were determined, and the frequency of correctly performed algorithm of actions in case of the incident was calculated. The frequency of implementation of measures for the prevention of occupational infections with blood-borne pathogens was estimated. Categorical data were described with absolute values and proportions (%). Results. 65 specialists (65/173, 37.6%) encountered incidents caused by contact with blood at the workplace. Incidents were significantly more common among women than among men: 44.7% (55/123) vs. 20.0% (10/50), respectively (p=0.002). The last incident in 50 respondents was associated with skin damage (needlestick injury or cut exposure), in 17 with blood exposure to mucous membranes (including two people with a mixed character of incident: skin damage + blood exposure to mucous membranes). Local treating after incident caused by contact with blood was carried out correctly (according to Russian recommendations) by 18.0% with skin damage, 70.5% of personnel with blood exposure to mucous membranes. After the last incident, 58.5% of specialists (38/65) reported the head of the department or clinic, a third of respondents (23/65, 35.4%) recorded a case of contact with blood in the incident log. Almost all staff always use gloves (172/173, 99.4%) when they work in the dental office. 64.2% (111/173) of dental workers always use safety glasses or screens. 85.0% of respondents (147/173) have been vaccinated against HBV, 18 people have not been vaccinated (18/173, 10.4%). Eight people (8/173, 4.6%) do not know their vaccination status. Conclusions. Necessity of raising awareness of dental staff in the field of epidemiology and prevention of Blood-Borne infections has been demonstrated in order to reduce the risk of occupational infection with these infections.