THE IMPACT OF HYGIENIC AND ERGONOMIC ASPECTS OF WORK ON THE HEALTH OF A DENTIST
The work of a dentist is associated with significant occupational risks caused by exposure to a number of unfavorable health-related production factors, including: forced working posture, visual and emotional stress, risk of infection transmission, contact with allergens and toxic substances, noise...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Poltava State Medical University
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Український стоматологічний альманах |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://dental-almanac.org/index.php/journal/article/view/719 |
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| Summary: | The work of a dentist is associated with significant occupational risks caused by exposure to a number of unfavorable health-related production factors, including: forced working posture, visual and emotional stress, risk of infection transmission, contact with allergens and toxic substances, noise, vibration, work intensity, and others.
Research Objective: Hygienic and ergonomic assessment of working conditions and occupational hazards among dentists.
Materials and Research Methods: As part of the study, a sociological survey was conducted among dentists working in private dental offices in the cities of the Zakarpattia region and the University Dental Clinic of Uzhhorod National University, aged 23 to 58 years (a total of 167 people). Among them: 23 to 30 years old 37 people (Group 1), 31 to 40 years old 43 people (Group 2), 41 to 50 years old 41 people (Group 3), 51 and older 46 people (Group 4). The study involved 167 individuals (39.8% men and 60.2% women). Almost all dentists worked full-time in their primary specialty. 31.3% had work experience of 5 to 10 years, 28.4% had 10 to 15 years, 23.6% had 15 to 20 years, and 16.7% had over 20 years of experience. Statistical data processing was performed on a personal computer using licensed software for the Windows operating system and the standard software package Statsoft Inc. STATISTICA 6.0, 2300 East 14th Street, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA. To determine the reliability of differences in results, the Student's t-test was used.
Research Results: Based on the analysis of workplace certification cards, it was found that one of the harmful production factors is biological, the source of which is bacterial aerosol from the rotation of dental instruments (burs, discs, etc.), within a perimeter of 1.5-2 meters around the dental unit—the dentist's workplace. The risk of infection for dentists during patient treatment corresponds to hazard class 3, degree 3. The adverse impact of ambient noise from dental equipment, which exceeds permissible levels and belongs to hazard class 3.2, was also noted. The analysis of survey results revealed the extent to which dentists are exposed to harmful occupational factors, assessed the prevalence of health complaints, and determined the degree to which dentists adhere to workplace ergonomic norms and rules. According to the survey data, 70.0% of respondents reported feeling tense by the end of the working day, while 83.3% experienced tension during work. 90.0% of respondents reported pronounced fatigue by the end of the working day: leg fatigue 76.7%; eye fatigue 86.7%; hand fatigue 73.3%; back fatigue 83.3%; headache 42.0%; myalgia in the hands, shoulders, and legs 21.0%.
Conclusion: Thus, the results obtained during the study show that the work of dental healthcare professionals is accompanied by a wide range of negative production factors that affect health, requiring further investigation to develop effective preventive measures.
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| ISSN: | 2409-0255 2410-1427 |