Self-reported percutaneous injuries of students and interns at the School of Dentistry in Trinidad: A follow up study of an updated sharps protocol

Objective: To report the results of a survey of all percutaneous injuries that occurred between 2009 ­ 2014 among students and interns at the dental school in Trinidad and to evaluate compliance with the protocol for the management of percutaneous injuries. Methods: Data was collected via questionnaires administered to 186 clinical students and interns in 2012 and 2014. Data were analysed using SPSS® 17.0 Statistical software. Results: A 90% response rate was obtained. Forty-eight persons (29%) reported one or more sharps injuries at the dental school. Of the 76 sharps injuries reported, 55 were percutaneous. Needle sticks and burs accounted for the majority of injuries and mostly occurred while working on patients. There were no significant relationships (p>0.05) between sex nor student year with the occurrence of injuries. 76% of the respondents described their concern for contracting blood borne injuries from sharps injuries as "high." After injury, 41% of the respondents followed the school's protocol for sharps injuries. Conclusion: The prevalence of percutaneous injuries among students and interns at the UWI dental school in Trinidad is 23% and occur most commonly while working on patients. Compliance with the protocol for percutaneous injuries needs to be improved. The protocol needs to be audited to improve efficiency and reinforced to the students, interns and clinical supervisors during their clinical years.

The prevalence and severity of non-carious cervical lesions in a group of patients attending a university hospital in Trinidad.

Non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) are often encountered in clinical practice and their aetiology attributed to toothbrush abrasion, erosion and tooth flexure. This paper aims to determine the prevalence and severity of NCCLs in a sample of patients attending a university clinic in Trinidad and to investigate the relationship with medical and dental histories, oral hygiene practices, dietary habits and occlusion. Data were collected via a questionnaire and clinical examination. Odds ratios were used to determine the association of the presence of lesions and the factors examined. One hundred and fifty-six patients with a mean age of 40.6 years were examined of whom 62.2 per cent had one or more NCCLs. Forty five per cent of the lesions were sensitive to compressed air. Younger age groups had a significantly lower correlation with the presence of NCCLs than older age groups. Other significant factors included patients who reported heartburn, gastric reflux, headaches, bruxism, sensitive teeth and swimming or had a history of broken restorations in the last year. There was also significant correlation of NCCLs in patients who brushed more than once a day or used a medium or hard toothbrush. Patients with vegetarian diets and those who reported consuming citrus fruits, soft drinks, alcohol, yoghurt and vitamin C drinks were associated with the presence of lesions. Significant associations were also found in patients with group function, faceting, clicking joints or those who wore occlusal splints.

The development of non-carious cervical lesions in a bruxer following episodes of gastric reflux [abstract]

This paper describes a patient suffering from gastric reflux presenting with non-carious cervical lesions. The relationship between gastric reflux and tooth wear is clearly established in the literature. This type of erosion may also play an aetiological role in the development of non-carious cervical lesions. This case describes a patient who has a known bruxer for years but developed tooth sensitivity associated with non-carious cervical lesions following year-long episodes of gastric reflux. It is concluded that patients with gastric reflux should be referred to their dental practitioners to prevent the development of tooth surface loss as a result of acid erosion. (AU)

Immediate replacement of a central incisor using a resin retained prosthesis [abstract]

This paper describes a technique for replacing an upper permanent central incisor immediately upon extraction of a non-salvable tooth without the use of a provisional denture. The preferred treatment of this type of case is the wearing of an interim denture during the period of bone remodelling and healing after the extraction, which can be up to four months. Many patients find the extra cost and inconvenience of having to adapt to an interim prosthesis objectionable. A method of fabrication and the delivery of the definite prosthesis as an immediate replacement for an extracted anterior tooth is described. (AU)