Research suggests that healthcare workers suffer from over two million needlestick injuries per year,
with the prevalence of injuries being highest among dentists.1
As such, it’s important for professionals to keep on top of sharps safety as well as making sure that
everyone in the team understands why it is necessary to follow the correct waste management
protocols for these items.
The dangers of needlestick injuries
Data suggests that over 50% of dental professionals and students of the profession had suffered at
least one serious needlestick injury in 2019. 2 The biggest concern surrounding needlestick injuries is
that they can lead to transmission of some potentially life-changing illnesses such as Hepatitis B,
Hepatitis C and HIV.3
While these conditions are at the very least manageable in the modern day, there is still the
potential for considerable emotional distress when someone finds out they have contracted one of
them. Furthermore, any individual who has contracted one of these diseases may not be
immediately aware that they are carrying it. Therefore, it is essential that whenever professionals do
suffer from a needlestick injury that they seek medical attention in order to prevent further
transmission.
When it comes to minimising sharps injuries occurring, the best guidance is to ensure that you know
where sharps items are at all times and never leave them unattended. Sheathing syringes is another
effective way to help prevent accidental injury. It’s also good advice to not break or snap needles
before disposal, as attempting to do so can considerably raise the chances of incurring an injury.
Safely disposing of sharps waste
Sharps waste must be disposed of correctly in order to further lower the chance of needlestick
injuries, and by proxy, the potential transmission of bloodborne diseases.
Depending on what the needle has been used for, sharps waste can be categorised under different
colours in the Department of Health’s colour coding guide for best practice waste disposal. For
example, needles used to supply botulinum toxin injections are typically classed as purple waste
(Cytostatic/Cytotoxic), while those used to administer anaesthetic are classed as yellow waste
(Clinical Highly Infectious). It’s necessary to make sure that your team is aware of these different
waste streams and how sharps waste may be categorised differently, so that they can always
dispose of sharps in the correct manner.
At the time of writing, over half of the UK population has received at least one dose of Coronavirus
(COVID-19) vaccination, meaning that sharps waste is at an all-time high.4 While this is unlikely to
impact the level of sharps waste being produced in dental practices, it does have a potential effect
on the waste management services you use.
It’s important that you make sure that the service provider you select can cope with the increased
demand for waste disposal being seen at this time, alongside providing your practice with efficient
and safe waste disposal. We are able to offer dental practices a bespoke sharps disposal service,
meaning that you can guarantee that you are always disposing of sharps in a safe and compliant
manner. Initial Medical supplies a vast array of sharps containers, in all sizes and for all applicable
coloured waste streams. We also have extra products to promote sharps safety for dental
professionals, such as the InSafe Sharps Safety System – an innovative device that has been
developed to eliminate the chance of needlestick injuries during administration.
For further information please visit www.initial.co.uk/medical or Tel: 0870 850 4045
About Initial Medical Waste
Initial Medical set the standard in healthcare and infectious waste management in the UK, providing
a reliable, effective and fully compliant service built around customer needs, and delivered by our
highly trained local teams. We are ISO 9001:2015 accredited, with technology fully integrated into
our operations, providing full traceability of service delivery, electronic waste documentation and
the best customer experience possible. We also offer innovative healthcare waste management
services and infection control products, to help break the chain of transmission and prevent cross
contamination.
Initial Medical are a company with a ‘World Class’ Health and Safety record, and ISO 45001:2018
accreditation. We are also accredited to ISO 14001:2015 environmental standards, and pride
ourselves on our sustainable approach with a focus on delivering eco-friendly products and
operational solutions.
For further information please visit www.initial.co.uk/medical or Tel: 0870 850 4045
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1. Bouya, S. et al. Global Prevalence and Device Related Causes of Needle Stick Injuries Among Health Care Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Ann Glob Health. 2020; 86(1): 35.
2. Dental Nursing. Needlestick Injuries and You. Link: https://www.dental-nursing.co.uk/features/needlestick-injuries-and-you#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20another%20study%20found,individuals%20of%20all%20skill%20levels. [Last accessed May 21].
3. Britannica. Bloodborne Disease. Link: https://www.britannica.com/science/bloodborne-disease [Last accessed May 21].
4. Gov.uk Coronavirus in the UK. Vaccinations in United Kingdom. Link: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/vaccinations [Last accessed May 21].
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