Investigating the Frequency and Causes of Needle Stick and Sharp Object Injuries Among the Dentists of Lorestan Province in 2023

Abstract

Background: Healthcare workers in various fields, including dentists, are exposed to needle stick incidents, which can lead to infectious diseases. Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the frequency and causes of needle stick and sharp object injuries among dentists in Lorestan province, west of Iran, in 2023. Methods: Considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this analytical cross-sectional study, a total of 218 dentists from Lorestan province were selected through stratified sampling and investigated. Data were obtained using a checklist that included demographic and technical questions. Data were analyzed using SPSS software at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: Among the participants, 120 dentists were male and 98 were female. In total, 101 dentists (46.3%) had experienced needle stick injuries, 50 (22.9%) had broken vial injuries, 77 (35.3%) experienced splashing of discharge into the eye, 13 (6%) had bistoury-caused injuries, 60 (27.5%) experienced splashing of discharge into the mucous membrane, and 59 (27.1%) had surgical suture injuries. There was a statistical relationship between age, working experience, and work shift with the incidence of needle stick injuries (P < 0.05). However, there was no relationship between needle stick injuries and sex, level of education, or the service location of the dentist. Conclusions: Given the high frequency of needle stick experiences among dentists, further studies are necessary to understand the behavioral and organizational factors involved in this issue and to implement preventive measures to reduce the incidence rate and adverse consequences of such accidents.