Occupational safety and hazards among dental laboratory technologists in Malta

Abstract

Introduction: An occupational hazard refers to conditions surrounding a work environment that increase the probability of death, disability, or illness to a worker. A person’s exposure to a hazard determines the severity of the risk and side effects. (Sivakumar, Arunachalam, & Solomon, 2012) The method used A questionnaire was sent through the DAM (Dental Association of Malta). The questionnaire was adopted by two different questionnaires; the occupational health questionnaire made by A.N.H Weel and R.J.Fortuin and for the questions concerning musculoskeletal problems, a subscription of the Extended Version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ-E). Candidates filled the questionnaire via google forms. 31 dental technologists participated in the study. Overall findings and conclusions Level of significance of this study was 0.05. In the set of questions regarding inconveniences the dental technologists experience during work, it was found that they suffered with inconveniences due to lengthy sitting (p-value =0.150), working in the same physical position (p-value =0.071) and repetitive movements ( p-value =0.720) . In the section regarding protective measures used during work. It was found that disinfecting the dental equipment when receiving it from the clinic ( p-value =0.029*) and using a shield to protect their face ( p-value <0.001***) are the protective measures used most often. Unfortunately, a lot of the dental technologists do not wear a mask when sandblasting/ investing/ trimming (p-value =1.000) and do not work with acrylic in the fume cupboard (p-value =0.473). The next seven questions were about exposures experienced during their work and it was found that the majority suffer from inconveniences with too much dust ( p-value =0.011*), too much noise ( p-value = 0.720) and bad lighting ( p-value =0.473). The last section in the questionnaire was concerning musculoskeletal problems. It was found that more than two thirds of the dental technicians experience pain in their necks (p-value =0.011*) and lower back (p-value =0.071). The also experience pain in their shoulders (p-value =0.071), upper back (p-value of 0.281) and wrists/hands (p-value =0.473), but not at such a high rate. To conclude, there are many occupational hazards and risks present in the dental laboratories of Malta and even though some preventive measures are taken by the dental technologists to decrease the effect of these hazards, some precautions are still not taken into consideration. Recommendations An alternate approach should be advised by laboratory owners/supervisors to encourage and enforce safety measures against the countless occupational hazards and risks at hand. Some of these different approaches may come in the form of greater ventilation systems, air purifiers and workstations which in turn should be regularly checked and managed by an ergonomics specialist. In addition to these, improving lighting, offering greater hearing protection devices along with more frequent breaks may reduce the impacts stemming from dental technicians performing repetitive movements for such lengthy periods of time.