Use of safety dental syringes in British and Irish dental schools

Aim The aim of the present study was to determine what types of dental syringes were being used in British dental schools and whether recent studies on the use of safety syringes had had any impact. Introduction In 2001 a controlled trial showed that avoidable needlestick injuries could be reduced with the introduction of safety syringes which did not require the re-sheathing or removal of a needle from its syringe. Method A self complete questionnaire asking about safety syringe use was distributed through the deans of all 16 dental schools in the UK and Ireland. Results Fifteen schools formally replied and data are available for the missing one. Two schools have totally converted to the use of safety syringes and in seven schools some departments are using them. Six schools are not considering a change, four others are hoping to change and four are undecided as to whether they are going to change. Five schools had tried them previously. All acknowledge that extensive training is essential, there is also considerable staff resistance and the safety syringes currently available are still not ideal. Conclusion All dental schools should determine their avoidable needlestick injuries rates, reconsider their views on the use of safety syringes and contribute to the development of the ideal model.