Local Anaesthetic Injection Safety in Dentists of Suva, Fiji

Local Anaesthetic Injection Safety in Dentists of Suva, Fiji Hussain Muzzammil , Morse Zac , Pryor Jan .

Objectives: To determine the level of awareness, knowledge and level of injection safety practiced in Suva (Fiji) dental clinics.

Methods: Structured interviews and observations were conducted on 22 dental injection providers using a modified version of The World Health Organisation’s “Tools for assessment of injection safety”.

Results: The average number of local anaesthetic injections administered weekly by each practitioner was 43. All dental facilities participating in the study were observed to use steam sterilization as their method of sterilization. 9% of participants reported accidental needlestick injuries in the past 12 months. Government dental clinics were 3.3 times more likely to have sharps containers in the area of injection (P<0.01). 18% of practitioners were unaware of any existing policy and procedures regarding needlestick injuries. 41% of practitioners were observed not using one handed re-capping techniques. Regarding the immediate management of needlestick injuries: 9% did not list the need to order post-injury blood testing of the injured practitioners and 96% did not list the need for counseling prior to post-injury HIV blood testing. Regarding immediate first aid for needlestick injuries: 18% did not list the need to encourage bleeding of injured sites; 23% did not list the need to wash with soap and water; and 73% did not list the need to clean with spirit after cleaning with soap and water.

Conclusion: It is of concern that a relatively high proportion of practitioners surveyed in Suva performed potentially unsafe re-capping as well as lacking awareness and knowledge of appropriate protocols regarding the management of needlestick injuries.

Correspondence to: zacmorse(at)gmail.com