Student occupational exposure incidence: perception versus reality

Authors

A. Jeffrey Wood, University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of DentistryFollow
Nader A. Nadershahi, University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of DentistryFollow
Richard E. Fredekind
Eve J. Cuny
David W. Chambers, University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of DentistryFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Dental Education

ISSN

0022-0337

Volume

70

Issue

10

DOI

10.1002/j.0022-0337.2006.70.10.tb04181.x

First Page

1081

Last Page

1088

Publication Date

1-1-2006

Abstract

Reports of clinical injuries made to a dental school Office of Occupational Health and Safety at the time of their occurrence were compared to self-reports on a survey for dental students in five classes at various times over their educational careers. The majority of injuries were from needlesticks and mishaps with hand instruments. Underreporting at the time of injury was approximately one-third in the first clinical year and one-half in the final clinical year of the three-year program. Students reported a greater perceived likelihood of injury later in their education than at the beginning but a decreased fear of such injuries. Female students reported more needlesticks and a greater fear of injury than did male students. It is hypothesized that a personal interpretation of the meaning of clinical injuries influences reporting behavior.

Recommended Citation

Wood, A. J., Nadershahi, N. A., Fredekind, R. E., Cuny, E. J., & Chambers, D. W. (2006). Student occupational exposure incidence: perception versus reality. Journal of Dental Education, 70(10), 1081–1088. DOI: 10.1002/j.0022-0337.2006.70.10.tb04181.x
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/dugoni-facarticles/832