Work-related ocular events among Nigerian dental surgeons

[Associated factors and types of eye injuries occurring in dentistry practice: systematic review]

Introduction

The dentist and auxiliary personnel are in constant risk of occupational diseases such as: allergies, infections, skin or eye injuries; that could affect patients. A problem of social interest are the ocular injuries that occur to dental personnel. The literature reveals the prevalence of eye injuries in dental practice that are associated with solid particles, fluid splashes. Our objective was, through a systematic review, to review the types of ocular injuries and their associated factors that occurred in dental practice.

Material and Methods

The relevant studies were searched in the databases: PubMed, Scopus, Ebsco, among others. The search included cross-sectional studies that evaluated the evidence on ocular injuries occurring in dental practice, excluding literature reviews, letters to the reader, and editorials.

Results

Eight studies were included to develop the systematic review; determining that the associated factors of ocular injuries occurred in dental practice are: a) occasional use of ocular protection b) age c) sex d) years of practice and the types of ocular injuries are the entry of liquids and foreign bodies.

Conclusions

Deficiency in compliance with eye or facial protection protocols in dental practice, cause eye injuries; Type of fluid entry, foreign bodies, splash of biological fluids or conjunctivitis. These eye injuries are generated from associated factors such as the occasional use of eye protection, age, sex, and others.

Relationship between work-related ocular events, facial injuries and associated factors amongst dental professionals during COVID-19

BACKGROUND

In dental settings, COVID-19 can be transmitted directly from patients to dentists through small droplets, saliva splashes, blood, and other body fluids liberated as a result of dental procedures.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of ocular and facial injuries in dental professionals and to investigate factors in dental practice contributing to ocular injuries.

METHODS

An analytical cross-sectional study was performed in public and private sector universities. The study had 301 participants including final year undergraduate students, interns, postgraduate trainees, general practitioners, and dental specialists. Data were gathered online using Google forms. Information on sociodemographic, practice details, history of ocular and facial encounters during the clinical experience, and protective measures adopted by the dentists were collected. Means and standard deviations were calculated for continuous variables whereas frequencies and percentages were calculated for categorical variables. A Chi-square test was applied for association between variables.

RESULTS

Ocular events and facial injuries occurred more in females 204 (67.8%) than in males 97(32.2%). Final year students reported more incidence of ocular encounters than specialists (40.9%, 3.3%). Dentists working in the government sector underwent more ocular encounters than those in private sectors 185(61.4%) and 96 (31.8%). Majority of participants reported that scaling was the procedure in which dentists experienced an ocular event. A significant association was found between ocular events, qualification, years of experience in clinical practice, number of patients treated per day, improper posture, and proper armamentarium (p < 0.05). However, no association was found between ocular events, gender, working sector, and dental procedures.

CONCLUSION

Occurrence of ocular injuries were high compared to facial injuries and these outcomes were dependent on dental expertise and experiences. Appropriate measures should be adopted to minimize the risk of disease transmission and COVID-19 through the eyes among practicing dentists.

Ocular injuries among oral and maxillofacial surgeons: Have high risk or not? An overview of a two-centered experience

BACKGROUND

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are occupationally exposed to ocular injuries via bodily fluid (ie, blood or saliva), which can carry substantial latent risks, both bacterial and viral. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ocular injury and infection among oral and maxillofacial surgeons during outpatient procedures.

METHODS

Data were collected from a consecutive series of 500 surgeries conducted by 26 resident surgeons via a questionnaire. Responses were categorized into two groups: Group I did not indicate an eye injury, and Group II did indicate an eye injury.

RESULTS

Of 500 procedures, 161 resulted in ocular injuries, a rate of 32.2 injuries per 100 person-procedures. Educated participants experienced eye injuries at a significantly higher rate than those who were uneducated (23.33% vs. 15.11%; P=0.022). Those not using eye protection experienced eye injuries at a significantly higher rate than those using eye protection (23.32% vs. 2.33%; P<0.001). Of all eye injuries, 14.28% required medical management. Incidents were reported at a rate of 10.56%, higher in those with multiple injuries.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate major inadequacies and breaches of the present eye/face protection protocols. Because the number of clinical studies on ocular injuries during oral and maxillofacial surgerical procedures is limited in the literature, each additional study can be important for promoting awareness among professionals, so that serious morbidity can be prevented.

Multidisciplinary perspectives to prevent occupational health-related conditions among dental practitioners

Introduction

The prevalence of occupational health conditions is high among dental practitioners and this study investigated the role which occupational health plays in dental training.

Purpose/objectives

This study was conducted to explore occupational health and to determine the topics to include from an occupational health perspective into the dental curriculum.

Methods

A descriptive qualitative study was conducted to explore the perceptions of dental practitioners, dental academics, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, occupational health specialists, ergonomists, optometrists and audiologists about dental training from an occupational health perspective in KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa. The interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach was used in this study.

Results

Three main themes became evident that hinged on varying understanding of occupational health-related conditions to dental practice, how practitioners experience practising in the resource-poor settings and its impact on the dental practice. There was also a lack of awareness of the occupational health policies and practices, which could inform safe dental practice.

Conclusion

Dental academics should gain input from a multidisciplinary team. An occupational health course with a student-centred approach would enrich the dental curriculum and make dental practitioners more aware of occupational health issues.