NEEDLE STICK INJURIES;

Objectives: To evaluate the concepts & handling of needle stick injuries amongjunior dentists of city Hyderabad. Study Design: Descriptive Cross Sectional study. Setting:Dental House Surgeons & Postgraduates. Period: June 2015 to January 2016. Methodology:The study population of 200 dentists were included working either in civil or private settingsof Hyderabad, Sindh. Questionnaire designed to obtain information about their concepts andhandling regarding NSIs. Results: 75(37.5%) of them were working in Oral Surgery department,53(26.5%) in Operative dentistry, 35(17.5%) in Orthodontics, 22(11%) in Periodontology, and15(7.5%) in Prosthodontics. 77(38.5%) had idea about transmission of Hepatitis B, 89(44.5%)about Hepatitis C, & 34(17%) about HIV/AIDS by NSI. 168(84%) had knowledge aboutuniversal precautions guidelines, 16(8%) use safety devices to dispose used sharp objects.189(94.5%) had faced NSIs ever. 97(48.5%) had knowledge about post exposure prophylaxisin the management of needle stick injury. 37(18.5%) had said that they will contact to medicalemergency room if they expose to NSI, 32(16%) will contact to oral surgery department,53(26.5%) will consult with their physician & 78(39%) said that they will manage themselves.Conclusion: this study confirm that junior dentists of Hyderabad experience the NSIs but arenot liable to report them, therefore they necessitate the improvement in clinical training forpreventing & reporting all NSIs. Through Support, counseling and tutoring by their OccupationalHealth Department.