Evaluating the Knowledge and Practice of Sharps Safety and Management among Dental Practitioners

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess dentists' knowledge and practise of sharps use and disposal in the public and private sectors, as well as to provide correct methods and procedures for sharps use and disposal in order to raise awareness. A questionnaire of 20 self-administered questions about sharps knowledge, use, and disposal methods in dentistry was created. The questionnaire was distributed to 220 dentists in Lucknow and the surrounding area. 86 dentists from government teaching institutes and hospitals, 45 dentists from private teaching institutes and hospitals, and 29 dentists from private clinics responded. The collected information was compared and statistically analysed.
Only 11% of dentists were completely knowledgeable about the types of sharps used in dentistry. 79 percent of dentists prefer to always use gloves when injecting. Although 81 percent of dentists agreed on the use of mechanical needle cutters and electrical needle destroyers to destroy needle tips, only 37 percent actually used these methods. Incineration is the best method of final disposal of sharps, according to 66 percent of respondents.
Conclusion: Awareness Programs resources regarding the usage of sharps and their maintenance is specifically required as many of the dentists are not even aware with sharp disposal methods.