Hazards in dentistry _ A Review

Abstract

The comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach of occupational health has the aim of protecting and promoting worker’s health. Workers live productive lives when they have assurance of their physical, social and mental wellbeing. As different occupational problems are associated with different professions, profession of dental medicine has also many of them, despite of so many technological and medical developments in past few decades. Different kind of risk factors associated with dental medicine are of different nature including: biological, chemical, physical, biomechanical and psychological. Biological risk factors may include viruses, bacteria, prions and fungi which may cause various infections ranging from less fatal to life threatening. Health affecting chemical factors include dental materials medicines and disinfectants which can cause allergies, hypersensitivity reactions, skin diseases, burns and injuries. Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, noise, artificial lighting, polymerization light is some of the physical hazards in dentistry that are great threat for workers lives and can cause sight and hearing problems along with other disorders. Improper posture during work, repetitive movements, prolonged mechanical straining, vibrations, etc. are some biomechanical factors which can lead to musculoskeletal disorders, disorders of the peripheral neurological system, neurological and other health problems etc. Chronic fatigue and stress are the two most important psychological factors associated with depression and burnout syndrome along with other manifestations. In order to reduce such occupational perils, it is necessary to spread awareness among the dental workers through different awareness programs including seminars, workshops etc. Interventional studies can also play significant role in reducing complication of these hazards.