Occupational exposures and hepatitis B vaccination statues in dental students in Central Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE: To assess the nature of occupational exposures occurring to students and to assess the rate of reporting of incidents.

METHODS: A self-administrated questionnaire was circulated to third, fourth and final year undergraduate dental students in Dental College of King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from April 2004 to May 2004. The questionnaire was consisted of 4 domains: personal details, hepatitis B vaccination, occupational exposures and reporting of the exposure incident.

RESULTS: Significantly more incidents occurred among final year students than third year students. Through the students there was no correlation between ages, gender, and dominate hand; however, more exposures occurred in female students. A significant decrease in exposures (p<0.05) occurred when an assistant was employed. Some students with one or more exposures during their training were percutaneous injuries predominated. Seventy-seven (28.9%) students stated that they have not been vaccinated against hepatitis B virus and that was notice among male students.

CONCLUSION: Dental teaching colleges are faced with the unique challenge of protecting the student and populations against blood-borne infections. Efforts must go beyond teaching of universal precaution, which should include safer products and clinical procedures that can reduce the risks associated with occupational exposures.