Abstract

KOTZE, MJ  and  LABUSCHAGNE, W. Evaluation of two different-gauge dental needles for the presence of blood following the application of local anesthesia by dental students. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2015, vol.70, n.1, pp.17-21. ISSN 0375-1562.

Blood-borne virus transmissions from patient to dental health care personnel are occupational hazards following needle stick injury. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Three local anesthetic (LA) techniques frequently used in the extraction of teeth were evaluated and compared for the presence of blood in the cartridge, needle lumen and needle surface when either 27G or 30G needles were used. DESIGN AND METHODS: The histogram function of Photoshop computer software identified differences in grey-scale value of the different blood parameters on photographs of urine dipsticks moistened with the first drop of liquid from the needle after the injection had been given and luminol spray was used to expose small quantities of blood on the surface of the needle. Blood visible to the naked eye in the LA cartridge was noted. RESULTS: A statistically significant association was found between needle diameter and visible blood in the cartridge (P=0.006), and the presence of blood in the needle lumen (P=0.029), especially with the 27G needle. CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant difference in the presence of blood in the lumen (36%) and in the cartridge (29%) between 27G and 30G needles following the administration of LA to a patient.

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