Prevalence of Ocular Injuries, Conjunctivitis and Musculoskeletal Disorders-Related Issues as Occupational Hazards Among Dental Practitioners in the City of Salem: A Randomized Cross-Sectional Study

[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.

Prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal disorders of the hand and associated conducted therapy approaches among dentists and dental assistants in Germany

Background

Dental professionals are subjected to higher risks for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) than other professional groups, especially the hand region. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of hand complaints among dentists (Ds) and dental assistants (DAs) and examines applied therapies.

Methods

For this purpose, an online questionnaire analysed 389 Ds (240female/149male) and 406 DAs (401female/5male) working in Germany. The self-reported data of the two occupational groups were compared with regard to the topics examined. The questionnaire was based on the Nordic Questionnaire (self-reported lifetime, 12-month and 7-day MSDs prevalence of the hand, the conducted therapy and its success), additional occupational and sociodemographic questions as well as questions about specific medical conditions.

Results

30.8% of Ds affirmed MSDs in the hand at any time in their lives, 20.3% in the last twelve months and 9.5% in the last seven days. Among DAs, 42.6% reported a prevalence of MSDs in the hand at any time in their lives, 31.8% in the last 12 months and 15.3% in the last seven days. 37.5% of the Ds and 28.3% of the DAs stated that they had certain treatments. For both, Ds and DAs, physiotherapy was the most frequently chosen form of therapy. 89.7% of Ds and 63.3% of DAs who received therapy reported an improvement of MSDs.

Conclusion

Although the prevalence of MSDs on the hand is higher among DAs than among Ds, the use of therapeutic options and the success of therapy is lower for DAs compared to Ds.