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Abstract
Occupational hazard refers to a risk or danger as a consequence of the nature or working conditions of a particular job. Dental surgeons are exposed to a number of occupational hazards in their professional work. With advent of advanced technology, no matter how beneficial it is, can exert a negative impact also on some members of the population.
This article highlights on occupational hazards like physical, chemical, biological, psychological, musculoskeletal disorders and their effects. The aim of this paper is to increase the level of awareness of occupational hazards among the dental surgeons and also to provide information on the ways in which hazards can be reduced.
Review (J Int Dent Med Res 2011; 4: (2), pp. 87-93)
Keywords: Dental, occupational hazards, physical, psychological, musculoskeletal disorder.
Received date: 03 February 2011 Accept date: 23 March 2011
Introduction
Dentists are usually exposed to a number of occupational hazards during their professional work. These cause the appearance of various ailments, specific to the profession, which develop and intensify with years.
In many cases they result in diseases and disease complexes, some of which are regarded as occupational illnesses1.
Ocuupational hazards can be defined as a risk to a person usually arising out of employment. It can also refer to a work material, substance, process or situation that predisposes, or itself causes accidents or disease, at a work place. Beradino Ramazzini is referred to as father of occupational medicine2.
Occupational hazards can occur in the form of biohazards, neuro-muscular skeletal disorders, health hazards (disruption of the respiratory and cardio-vascular system) hearing impairment, visual problems, allergies and skin diseases1,3.
Dentists during clinical practice exposes to variety of work related hazards. These occupational hazards can be classified into five types: "physical, chemical, biological, psychological and musculoskeletal disorders".
1) Physical
The dentists are at risk of physical injuries during many dental procedures. Poor illumination causes eye pain, eye strain, headache, eye fatigue where as excessive brightness leads discomfort, and visual fatigue. Eyes may be affected with conjunctivitis and keratitis while using dental curing light, computer and lasers.
Moreover use of high-speed turbines, compressor, suction and ultrasonic dental scaler results temporary or permanent hearing loss, fatigue, interface with communication by speech and decreased efficiency. Dentist can expose to both...