Internal Medicine: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Occupational exposure of dental nurses in a tertiary dental hospital in Beijing

Yue Zhang, Yuge Zhang, Yang Liu, Lingxiao Wang

Background: Dental nurses are at high risk for occupational exposure, but how to reduce occupational exposure rates is still a challenge. This project aims to provide a theoretical basis for improving the safety awareness of dental nurses and reducing occupational exposure risks to a certain extent. Methods: This study conducted a retrospective questionnaire survey to study the following aspects of the dental nursing population: (1) Exposure events, including the types and times of occupational exposure, as well as the devices that cause occupational exposure; and (2) Occupational expectations and attitudes toward patients with infectious diseases. Spearman correlation coefficient was calculated to analyze the relationship between vocational training courses and occupational exposure. Results: The nurses (93.87%) had received vocational training. The vaccination rate of the hepatitis B vaccine is high (98.93%). The detection rate of HIV and human immunodeficiency virus was relatively low (10.93%). The majority (80.21%) had experienced occupational exposure. The nurses (98.93%) still stated that they would be willing to take care of patients with infectious diseases and would not change their profession (80.27%). No statistically significant association was found between vocational training and occupational exposure or sharp instrument injuries, while a certain relationship was found between vocational training and mucosal exposure (p<0.05). Conclusion: The incidence of occupational exposure among dental specialty nurses in Beijing is relatively high, but the effectiveness of occupational exposure training programs is limited. In addition, they have a positive attitude and a sense of professional responsibility in caring for infectious disease patients

Published Date: 2025-01-24;