Abstract
Objective: To identify the perceptions of dentists (CD) about the causes of exposure to biological material, to characterize behavioural changes and biosafety practices adopted by professionals, after accidents. Methods: Qualitative cross-sectional, retrospective study carried out in a public hospital, São Paulo, Brazil. Interviews were carried out, with two semi-open questionnaires and applied in two groups of 20 DC each, from 2008 to 2012, selected, from the notification of 103 accidents, by the Hospital Infection Control Commission (CCIH). Study approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CEP). Results: The moment of the accident and the changes that took place allowed the categorization of the study, respectively: Personal Order, Technical Order, Work Order, Accident Recurrence and Accident Prevention. In both, the Personal Order category reported predisposing factors for the occurrence of accidents such as inattention, distraction, stress, and fatigue. The changes that occurred after the accident were related to increased self-care, attention, and biosafety. Conclusion: Behavioural changes were related to biosafety practices, adherence to personal protective equipment (PPE), dental improvement, self-care in attention, within personal and professional limits. The changes revealed good work practices, adherence to full vaccination immunization and suggestion for care protocols, as supporting work safety.