Occupational Ocular Splashes and Foreign Bodies among Nigerian Dental Surgeons

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and pattern of ocular splashes and foreign bodies among dental surgeons in Nigeria.

Methods: This questionnaire based cross-sectional of dental surgeons was conducted September 2010 and August 2011. The information elicited was demography, experience and type of ocular splashes and foreign bodies, procedure and action taken.

Results: Out of the 175 questionnaires, 140 questionnaires were returned giving an overall response rate of 80.0%. The prevalence of ocular splashes and foreign body among the respondents was 72.1%. These occurred majorly during scaling and tooth extraction with saliva and calculus being main aetiological ocular foreign body and splash respectively. The predominant action taken was to rinse the eye with water.

Conclusions: Ocular splash and foreign body was high among dental surgeons in Nigeria.  Control and prevention can be actualized by improvement of use eye safety wears and precautionary working etiquette.