RESUMEN
The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of needle stick injury [NSI] among dental health care providers including dental technicians. A cross sectional survey was conducted among dental health care providers running independent dental clinics at Hyderabad and Karachi during the month of April 2013 and a total of 166 qualified dentists and 88 dental technicians were interviewed. Ninety [54.2%] out of 166 qualified dentists and 45 [51.1%] out of 88 dental technicians had been the victims of NSI at least once in preceding 12 months. 104 [62.6%] dentists knew about universal guidelines for prevention of needle stick injury, whereas only 7 [8%] technicians knew about safety guidelines. Only 67 [40.4%] dentists out of 166 and 7 [8.0%] technicians out of 88 reported about the needle stick injury to health authorities [or seniors]. Common reasons for non-reporting among qualified dentists were: 55 [33.1%] believed that there was no benefit to report, 45 [27.1%] did not know where to report and 32 [19.3%] assumed that needle was new. In the category of technicians, 52[59.1%] did not want to report. 03[3.4%] believed needles were used for first time and 5 [5.7%] believed nothing will happen. The risk of blood borne viral infections due to needle stick injury among dental health care providers, especially dental technicians is very high. Based on local studies and international guidelines, national guidelines for Pakistan should be developed by experts to minimize the chances of needle stick injury