Exposure incident protocol
In the healthcare environment, the term ‘exposure incident’ refers to any incident where a contaminated object or
substance breaches the integrity of the skin or mucous membranes or comes into contact with the eyes. This includes:
• penetrating injuries of the skin caused by sharps (e.g. dental instruments, needles and scalpel blades);
• an injury that involves direct skin contact with blood or saliva visibly contaminated with blood and where there is
compromised skin integrity, such as a cut, open wound, abrasion or dermatitis;
• bites or scratches inflicted by patients; and
• direct contact with blood or body fluids with the mucous membrane of the mouth, nose or eyes.
While the site where such sharps injuries are sustained can become infected with microorganisms, the major area
of concern to dental practitioners and clinical support staff is the risk of the transmission of HIV, HBV and HCV by
contaminated blood.
• instrument cleaning and sterilisation.
To supplement and update the information provided from the initial induction, regular staff meetings should be held to
discuss infection control matters.