Environmental and Occupational Health Risks in Dental Laboratories (original) (raw)
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Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2020
Dental prosthesis laboratories (DPLs) are among the workplaces where predominantly manual production takes place. In such working environments, during the manual manufacturing process, which involves fine smoothing and polishing of dental prostheses, fine particulate matter is released into the ambient air. In this study, the particulate matter (PM) concentrations and elemental content of the fine particles in the working ambient air were identified in six DPLs in Kocaeli, Turkey. PM 2.5 mass concentrations, measured in all the DPLs, ranged between 80.8 and 1645 μg/m 3 (mean 414 ± 406). As a result of the analyses performed with an ICP-MS device (Perkin Elmer Elan®DRC-e), trace elements of Be, Cd, Hg, and, notably, Co, Cr, Mo, and Ni were found. The researchers calculated the excess lifetime cancer risks and total hazard indexes. The average total cancer risk for all the DPLs was 8 × 10 −3 , which is higher than the acceptable limit of 1.0 × 10 −6 , and the total hazard index was 187, which is greater than the acceptable limit of 1.0. Considering these high-level risks, the study concluded that there is a need for new production methods, and strict application of occupational health and safety measures, to reduce the fine particle exposure of the workers in the laboratories. In addition, there are prescribed limit values for particulate matter only for respirable particles in working environments. The establishment of limit values, especially for PM 2.5 concentrations, is important for the protection of the health of the employees.
2012
Technicians in dental prosthetics laboratories are exposed to environmental dust and various occupational health hazards, and therefore appropriate protection is necessary. This paper deals with assessment of safety mesures in dental prosthetics laboratories and aim of this work was to assess ten dental laboratories in Novi Sad using the multi-criteria analysis as a assessment tool. Multi-criteria analysis revealed the dental prosthetics laboratories with improper safety measures.
Occupational Hazards in Modern Dentistry: A Review
Dental personnel are constantly exposed to a number of specific occupational hazards. These cause the appearance of various disorders, specific to the profession, which develop and intensify with years. Being unaware of the potential hazards in the work environment makes them more vulnerable to injury. Based on relevant literature, the present paper discusses various occupational hazards like biological health hazards, stresses, latex hypersensitivity, exposure to radiation (ionizing and non-ionizing), occupational respiratory hypersensitivity, as well as factors leading to the musculoskeletal system diseases. It is therefore important that all the dental personnel remain constantly informed regarding occupational hazards and implementation of preventive strategies to provide a safe working environment
Respiratory findings in dental laboratory technicians in rasht (north of iran)
Tanaffos, 2011
There are several occupations that can expose people to some air pollutants. Dental technicians are exposed to inorganic dust and chemical vapors when making dental prosthesis that can put them at risk for respiratory problems. This study was performed to assess respiratory dysfunction in a group of dental technicians. This was a cross-sectional study designed to ascertain the prevalence of respiratory disorders in dental laboratory technicians in Rasht, a city located in north of Iran. A Structured questionnaire was adapted according to the European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire and used to elicit information regarding sociodemographic characteristics and medical status of the study participants. The ventilation status, protective measures and direct exposure to materials in the laboratories were directly observed by the observers and subjects underwent respiratory tests and chest x-ray. The mean age of dental technicians was 31.31 yrs (range 18-56 years) and 83...
The Impact of Work Environment and the Risks of Occupational Exposures of a Dental Professional
International Journal of Exclusive Management Research, 2015
The multifaceted physical work environment of the dentist plays a quintessential role in the work life of the dentist. In spite of the numerous technological advancements in dentistry, occupational health threats are still prevailing in the physical work environment of the dentist. Immunization against the various infectious diseases, maintaining appropriate work postures, using adequate barrier techniques and high level sterilization, awareness of major signs and symptoms of allergic reactions including anaphylaxis during consultation, awareness and preventive strategies regarding the risks of blood borne infections must be promoted among the dental professionals. Exposure to serious infectious agents is a virtual risk and the dentist's hands can become contaminated by contact with the patient's mouth, saliva and gingival fluids. Most human pathogens can be obtained from the oral cavity and it has an environment which promotes bacterial growth. Health organizations have developed certain useful guidelines for hazard management by the use of personal protection and dentists should be aware of appropriate sterilization, other high-level disinfection utilities and individual protective measures like masks that must be changed in between patients to reduce the risk of the mask itself becoming a nidus of infection, head cap, gloves, operating gowns, over garments to protect the skin and the mucous membranes of the dental personnel from exposure to infections, care of hands by hand washing with surgical soap that contains antiseptics, and pre-procedural mouth rinsing with chlorhexidene by patient. This study is examining the different aspects that are going to affect the environment of the dentist in his work place like hygiene, x-ray machine and radiation safety, dental materials, bio-medical waste and the risks to occupational health due to exposures. This can lead to the development of safer and more effective work practices, which in turn makes the physical work environment a pleasant and safe dental office.
Occupational dental health hazards: A Review
International Journal of Contemporary Dental and Medical Reviews, 2015
Dental health is as important as general health, but the irony is; it has not received the same amount of importance as that of the general health. This fact is even more prevalent in the labourers, who are bond to neglect their oral health because of busy scheduled and stressful life. The present review article will explore the facts about the relationship between the working environment and the dental health status in diff erent occupation scenarios. An extensive literature survey was performed using the Google scholar, EBSCOhost, science direct and the PubMed central to explore the various dental health conditions existing in diff erent occupational scenarios. The most prevalent oral health conditions were dental caries, periodontitis, dental attrition and erosion, bruxism and missing teeth. All these conditions were either due to the physical environment of the occupation or else due to occupational related stress and the habits to relieve the same stress. Field workers had a higher prevalence of oral health conditions then the offi ce workers. Exposure of the labour class to the varying physical environment in the work place may be the major reason for the deterioration of their oral health and demand of the present time is 'prevention is better than cure.' Thus, providing of the protection mask and the utilization of the same are the need of the day.
Aerosols exposure and respiratory morbidity among dental health care Professionals of Lucknow
Indian Journal of Community Health
Introduction: Dentists use high-energy equipment, such as drills and scalers in the presence of bodily fluids such as blood and saliva, and dental plaque. This combined effect generates aerosols of oral micro-organisms, and blood. Objective: To determine the prevalence of respiratory morbidities and practices for protection against aerosols exposure at work place among dental health care professionals in District Lucknow. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved private dental practitioners registered with Indian Dental Association chosen by Simple Random Sampling. Dentists who gave consent and who were practicing for at least 1 year were included. Aerosol exposure and respiratory morbidity was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. SPSS software version 16.0 was used for data analysis. Results: Total number of study participants were 0. Mean age in years of study subjects were 33.5 ±11.6. Their average years of involvement in clinical practice were 10.0 ±12.75. Major...
Vaccines
The quality of indoor air in healthcare facilities, with an emphasis on dental offices, attracted the attention of the scientific community in the late 1960s. Since then, it has become evident that the indoor air quality is critical in modern dental care facilities for limiting the spread of airborne infections, including vaccine-preventable diseases, and a key component of safety for healthcare personnel and patients. In the past decades, the role of indoor air quality has also been recognized in non-healthcare facilities, given the increasing time spent indoors by humans. During the provision of dental care services, mainly in the field of restorative dentistry, high-speed dental handpieces emitting air and water are used, producing large quantities of aerosol and hovering inside the operations area. In modern dental offices, new devices emitting air/powder for cavities improvement and cleaning as well as for periodontal prophylactic cleaning and aesthetics are used. In addition, ...