A dentist observes a dental assistant recapping a needle by bending it with her fingers. What is the MOST appropriate action?

Correct answer: D. Stop the practice immediately and review standard precautions and safe sharps handling with the entire staff

• A. OSHA reporting is for unresolved employer violations; here the dentist IS the employer and has the direct duty and ability to correct it.
• B. Ignoring it perpetuates a serious occupational hazard — needlestick injury with a contaminated needle risks HBV, HCV, and HIV transmission.
• C. Termination for a training deficiency that the employer is legally obligated to correct is disproportionate and does not fix the underlying problem.
• D. CORRECT. This is a SYSTEM and TRAINING issue, not a disciplinary one. OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard prohibits bending, breaking, or two-handed recapping of contaminated needles. The employer is responsible for training, for providing safety-engineered devices and one-handed scoop or mechanical recapping devices, and for documenting annual training. Correcting the behaviour immediately and retraining the whole team addresses the root cause and protects everyone.

Note: OSHA requires a written Exposure Control Plan reviewed annually, safety-engineered devices with employee input on selection, and documented training.