Overview
Sharps injuries and inoculation injuries are among the most significant occupational health risks faced by dental professionals. They can occur during clinical treatment, instrument cleaning, waste handling, or the disposal of contaminated items. Although many injuries are minor, exposure to blood or other bodily fluids can present a risk of infection and may have a considerable emotional and psychological impact on those affected.
Employers must ensure that risks from sharps injuries are adequately assessed and that appropriate control measures are in place. This includes:
Completing a risk assessment for all sharps used in the practice
Implementing measures to prevent injuries, including safer alternatives where reasonably possible
Ensuring compliance with health and safety law to protect workers’ physical and mental health.
In a clinical environment, the term ‘sharp’ refers to any item capable of penetrating the skin and contaminated with bodily fluids, not just needles or scalpels. This includes instruments such as aspirator tubes, and anything else used during patient care that can damage the skin.
Effective prevention relies on a combination of safe systems of work, appropriate training, suitable equipment and a positive safety culture. All members of the dental team should understand how to handle, use and dispose of sharps safely and be familiar with the procedures to follow should an incident occur.
Every dental practice must have a written sharps policy that sets out:
Procedures for safe handling and disposal of sharps at the point of use
Use of safer sharps devices wherever reasonably practicable
Clear instructions for reporting sharps injuries, including emergency response and Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) requirements.
This policy should be reviewed regularly and communicated to all members of the dental team, including temporary and locum workers. The guidance explains how to assess and control the risks associated with sharps, prevent injuries from occurring, respond appropriately when incidents happen, and meet reporting and record-keeping requirements.