Evaluating the Knowledge and Practice of Sharps Safety and Management among Dental Practitioners | Chapter 8 | Current Practice in Medical Science Vol. 11

 This study's objectives included evaluating dentists' practises and understanding of sharps usage and disposal in both the public and private sectors, as well as outlining the proper uses and disposal techniques to increase awareness. A questionnaire with 20 self-administered questions was developed to assess dental professionals' awareness of sharps use and disposal procedures. 220 dentists in Lucknow and the surrounding area received the questionnaire. 29 dentists from private clinics, 45 dentists from private teaching institutes and hospitals, and 86 dentists from government teaching institutes and hospitals answered. Statistics were used to compare and analyse the data that was gathered.

Dentists' total understanding of the kinds of sharps used in dentistry was only at 11%. When injecting, 79 percent of dentists prefer to always use gloves. Only 37% of dentists really utilised mechanical needle cutters or electrical needle destroyers to remove needle tips, despite 81 percent of dentists agreeing with this practise. According to 66 percent of responders, incineration is the best way for disposing of sharps completely. Conclusion: Since many dentists aren't even aware of proper sharps disposal procedures, awareness programmes and resources are specifically needed regarding the use of sharps and their management.

Author(s) Details:

Shuchi Tripathi,
Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Raghuwar Dayal Singh,
Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Rameshwari Singhal,
Department of Periodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Richa Khanna,
Department of Pedodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Deeksha Arya,
Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Swapnil Parlani,
Department of Prosthodontics, People’s Dental College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/CPMS-V11/article/view/8032