Prevalence Occupational Hazards among Dentists of Uttarakhand: A Descriptive Study

Dentists are known to have occupational health issues, including dental threats of a physical, environmental, chemical and psychosocial type. The poor medical outcomes with occupational health issues include musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), eye injuries, vibration neuropathy and neurological problems. Problems such as contact dermatitis, hearing loss and irritation from dental products were also observed. Dental workers in the dental school and functional sector have a number of challenges including a range of occupational health threats as well as hazards such as the reactions of infectious diseases, pollution and vibration, as well as allergies to dental products. This study was conducted to assess occupational hazards among the dental surgeons of Uttarakhand. Among the study group of 80 dentists, 54 were males and 26 were females. Descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administrated questionnaire. The study reveals that mean percentage scores were found maximum in the area of ‘psychological hazards (90 %), followed by 72.70 per cent in the area of ergonomic hazard, 45.93 per cent in accidental hazard and only 1.67 per cent in the area of ‘physical hazard’. The chances of occupational hazards are more common in dentists. Almost all the private dental practitioners were suffering from the occupational hazards. Back problems were common. Regular training and workshops can help lower such problems.