Occupational exposure in Dental Students: analysis of needlestick injuries and psychosocial effects

• Grant number: 25/14967-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing - Public Health Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Luis Eduardo Genaro
• Grantee: Isla Vitória Silva Matos
• Host Institution: FAC ANHANGUERA JUNDIAI/AESA

Abstract

Occupational accidents involving exposure to biological materials-particularly those caused by needlestick and sharp instruments-represent a significant risk to healthcare professionals and, alarmingly, to students in training. In the dental academic environment, where students perform clinical procedures on patients under supervision, the occurrence of such accidents can have serious physical, emotional, and psychosocial consequences. Beyond the biological risk of pathogen exposure, these incidents often trigger stress, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and fear, negatively impacting academic performance, mental health, and the This project aims to analyze needlestick and sharps-related accidents involving final-year dental students at a college in the interior of São Paulo State, with emphasis on the psychosocial repercussions, students' knowledge and application of biosafety protocols, and their perception of the institutional support provided. A qualitative-quantitative approach will be employed to allow for a broader and more in-depth understanding of the phenomenon. The sample will consist of students enrolled in the final year of the program, including both morning and evening shifts. Data collection will take place in person at the educational institution. Quantitative instruments will include a sociodemographic questionnaire, a form addressing biosafety practices and procedures, and the Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R), which assesses symptoms of post-traumatic stress. The qualitative component will consist of semi-structured interviews, with narratives analyzed using the Collective Subject Discourse (CSD) technique, aiming to capture both individual and collective perceptions of the traumatic event. The study seeks to identify key risk factors associated with accidents, their frequency, students' level of knowledge regarding post-exposure protocols, the most common emotional impacts, and institutional support gaps. The findings are expected to inform pedagogical and administrative strategies that promote a safer academic environment, enhance biosafety practices, develop psychological support protocols, and improve institutional support mechanisms. By shedding light on a topic that is still underexplored in dental education, this study will contribute to the improvement of academic training and the promotion of mental health among future professionals of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS).