Dentists and The Health Hazards They Face

It may not seem like a dangerous job, but dentists certainly don’t have it easy. Up to their elbows in your mouth, they expose themselves to a number of health hazards that are carried by bodily fluids such as blood and saliva. Other workplace hazards that they may be exposed to include chemical and pharmaceutical dangers, hazardous waste, radiation, ergonomic stress, tool vibration, and simple human nature. Each of these will be discussed in further depth below.

Bodily fluids such as blood and saliva carry a number of pathogens that range from annoying to downright dangerous. Bacteria and viruses can be transmitted by a number of pathways including respiratory pathways and even eye secretions. The mucous membranes are very potent breeding grounds in the body for duplicating harmful pathogens. Hepatitis and HIV are two of the more dangerous blood-borne pathogens that dentists expose themselves to each time they perform a procedure in a person’s mouth. While they are never found without gloves on, even gloves can tear or get tiny holes in them that can let harmful agents through. Masks and glasses are worn to help protect from respiratory and eye infections.

A few of the chemical and pharmaceutical agents that dentists regularly work with can be very harmful. Nitrous oxide is also known as laughing gas and is probably one of the most well-known dangers for dentists due to repeated exposure. The US Department of Health and Human Services National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has very detailed guidelines for step-by-step controls that regulate system maintenance, operation, and ventilation that help lower the risk of nitrous oxide exposure.

There are also a number of guidelines that regulate the control and removal of hazardous waste products that are generated at an oral health care office. Dental professionals and their office staff must take care to use protective gear when handling and disposing of hazardous waste such as needles and bodily fluids. While there is no standard regarding the cleaning and re-using of certain dental tools, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration have issued guidelines that they would like dentists to follow.

Dentists don’t have the most ergonomically-friendly job around. While you can adjust your keyboard and mouse and even the size and shape of your computer desk, dental professionals are relatively limited in the positions they can adjust your mouth in order to access the tooth or teeth that need to be worked on. As such, many oral health care practitioners suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome and other adverse effects of holding their hands and fingers at strange angles for long periods of time. Musculoskeletal injuries are surprisingly common in the dental professional population and care should be taken to educate the dentist in order to help avoid these back and hand problems.

In conclusion, there are a number of blood-borne, airborne and other hazardous health risks that dentists come in contact with during the course of a regular work day. It is important for these professionals to take the time to educate themselves and their staff on how to stay safe.