LETTER TO EDITOR: KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS AND PRACTICE REGARDING NEEDLE STICK INJURIES IN DENTAL PROFESSION IN INDIA

摘要

DEAR EDITOR, Needle stick injuries (NSIs) has always been one of the most important risk factor for health care workers (HCWs) for transmission of various infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus. Variety of procedures like needle recapping, injuries sustained in the operating room, blood collection or intravenous line administration, suturing, checking blood sugar etc., can lead to accidental NSIs [Table 1]. Although modern dentistry has been cited as the least hazardous of the all the occupations, risks like NSI still challenge the status of this occupation. Compared with many other health care settings, dental professionals are at higher risk of acquiring infections due to the fact that dentists work in a limited ? access and restricted ? visibility field and frequently use sharp devices.