Creating a safe environment

In the bustling world of dental care, there is no getting away from sharp instruments. Needles, scalpels, dental wires, and burs are among our essential tools of the trade. They are used every day, meaning that nurses and their colleagues are at daily risk of sharps injuries, and all the associated potential physical and mental health, compliance and economic consequences – many of which are often overlooked.

In this article, I outline the dangers of these injuries, look at why dental employers have an ethical and regulatory responsibility to have robust sharps management and disposal policies in place, and offer some practical advice on protecting staff and businesses from the costly implications of this unavoidable occupational hazard.