Needlesticks: Managing an Exposure Incident

Occupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens continue to concern all health care workers, including dental professionals. A top priority in every dental office should be to follow rigorous infection control practices. However, even the most stringent precautions cannot entirely eliminate the risk of exposure. Although preventing blood exposures is the primary means of preventing occupationally acquired bloodborne diseases, appropriate post-exposure management is an important element in workplace safety.