Needlesticks Rapidly Increasing Throughout 2023

Oftentimes, when a trend is identified in the dental compliance training industry, we begin to look for opportunities to clarify materials or to create additional training elements to supplement the existing programs.

It is always interesting to see trends developing. Oftentimes, when a trend is identified in the dental compliance training industry, we begin to look for opportunities to clarify materials or to create additional training elements to supplement the existing programs.

Over the last few weeks of the summer, we have seen an increased number of exposure incidents involving needlesticks. Being the record keeper that I am, my spreadsheet indicates that on a client level, the incidence rate is approximately 200% higher than it was at this time last year.

I fully understand that training is not the only component that could go hand in hand with an increase in exposure incidents.

Numbers being what they are, the question here is, “What is the causation behind the increased needlesticks, and once identified, how do we work to prevent these occurrences?”

After taking a deeper dive into training completed reports by client location, it is safe to say that training has been waning over the last six months. I fully understand that training is not the only component that could go hand in hand with an increase in exposure incidents. I’ve also come to find that many new team members have been added and many more seasoned team members have returned or moved on from their practices.

Interesting information, but nothing concrete regarding causation, just speculation. Anecdotally, I’ve heard from many of my contacts during my clinical career in central Texas that this has been an ongoing and ever-increasing issue for the last six months.

Training – Has the team member had Bloodborne Pathogens Dental training prior to seeing patients in the clinical space? Is this documented?

With causation being all over the board, the question of prevention takes the spotlight. To help prevent instances from occurring a number of things should happen. I’m going to lay these out as neatly and as organized as I can from the “practice” perspective.

1. Onboarding – Does the practice have an onboarding policy? Does this policy include documenting Hepatitis B vaccination information (offering the vaccine at no charge per OSHA)?
2. Training – Has the team member had Bloodborne Pathogens Dental training prior to seeing patients in the clinical space? Is this documented?
3. Exposure Control Plan – Does the practice have an exposure control plan to include work and engineering controls, sharps exclusion lists, an actual “gameplan” and documents should an incident occur?
4. Bloodborne Pathogens Standard – Is the team and all team members familiar with the contents?

You might be surprised how many folks answer no to more than one or two of those four questions.

Despite current trends, it all begins and ends with prevention. If all the required systems are in place you can greatly reduce the possibility of a team member being injured in the dental office.

If you are unfamiliar with any of the items listed above, I’d recommend you contact us immediately at Smart Training. You do not want to have an incident and run afoul of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.