Evaluation of Individual Noise Exposure in a Prosthodontic Clinic and Laboratory During the Post Covid-19 Pandemic
Abstract
Noise is one of the issues brought on by modern technologies. Because of the technology they employ, some occupational groups are more affected by noise. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant changes in healthcare around the world, such as dental clinics and prosthodontic laboratories were also affected by this change. The working circumstances in prosthodontic dental offices and prosthodontic laboratories underwent numerous adjustments included reducing the number of patients, tightening hygiene protocols and obediencing distance rules during the pandemic process. However, some factors, such as individual noise exposure, are still overlooked or not sufficiently taken into account. This study was conducted during post COVID-19 pandemic in a faculty prosthodontic clinic and laboratory to assess the individual noise sensitivity of academician dentists, dentistry interns, and laboratory technicians to see if the levels of noise were significant enough to pose a health danger.
In February-March 2023, a noise assessment was conducted to evaluate the noise levels in a prosthodontic clinic and a single dental laboratory. During 8-hour work periods, five specific sound level meters (Cesva DC 112, Spain) were put on the collars of academician dentists, dentistry interns, and laboratory technicians to assess individual noise sensitivity.
This study involves 74 persons, including 4 academician dentists, 60 dentistry interns, and 10 laboratory technicians. In terms of Leq and Lex-8 hour noise sensitivity, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups (p<0.05). The average maximum (Leq) sound level among academician dentists was 73.50±0.67 decibels, 75.14±3.41 decibels for dentistry interns, and 84.64±9.12 decibels for laboratory technicians.
Noise levels in this study were slightly below the occupational exposure limits (85dBA) for academician dentists, dentistry interns, excluding dental technicians who were exposed to noise levels, suggesting that they are at risk for hearing impairment. Additional measures are recommended for these groups working in the prosthodontic clinic.
Keywords
Noise exposure evaluation Noise in a dental laboratory Noise in a prosthodontic clinic Health and safety Risk assessment
References
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Abstract
References
- 1. Gurbuz M K, Çatli T, Cingi C, Yaz A, Bal C. Occupational safety threats among dental personnel and related risk factors. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. 2013;24(6):599-02.
- 2. Goswami M, Singh D, Vashist B, Marwaha S. Noise levels and sound pollution associated with various operative procedures and equipments in a pediatric dental environment-A clinical study. Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research. 2017;7(3):182-1.
- 3. Ma K W, Wong H M, Mak C M. Dental environmental noise evaluation and health risk model construction to dental Professionals. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017;14(9):1084.
- 4. Kilpatrick H C. Decibel ratings of dental office sounds. J Prosthet Dent. 1981;45(2):175-8.
- 5. Sampaio Fernandes J C, Carvalho A P O, Gallas M, Vaz P, Matos P A. Noise levels in dental schools. European Journal of Dental Education. 2006;10(1):32-7.
- 6. Başak S S, Başak S. Diş hekimlerini etkileyebilecek fiziksel risk etmenleri. GÜSBD. 2018;7(1):184-92.
- 7. Regulation on the protection of employees from noise-related risks (internet). Official gazette no: 28721. 2013 July 28. available from: https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2013/07/20130728-11.htm. [Last accessed on 2020 Dec 09].
- 8. Ahmed H O, Ali W J. Noise levels, noise annoyance, and hearing-related problems in a dental college. Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health. 2017;72(3):159-5.
- 9. Kadanakuppe S, Bhat P K, Jyothi C, Ramegowda C. Assessment of noise levels of the equipments used in the dental teaching institution, Bangalore. Indian J Dent Res. 2011;22:424-1.
- 10. Leonard D L, Charlton D G. Performance of high-speed dental handpieces subjected to simulated clinical use and sterilization. The Journal of the American Dental Association. 1999;130(9):1301-1.
- 11. Ai Z T, Mak C M, Wong H M. Noise level and its influences on dental professionals in a dental hospital in Hong Kong. Building Services Engineering Research & Technology. 2017;38(5):522-5.
- 12. Dutta A, Mala K, Acharya S R. Sound levels in conservative dentistry and endodontics clinic. J Conserv Dent. 2013;16:121-5.
- 13. World Health Organization. Occupational noise: Assessing the burden of disease from work-related hearing impairment at national and local levels. World Health Organization; Geneva, Switzerland: 2004. Environmental Burden of Disease Series, No.9.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Dentistry |
| Journal Section | Research Articles |
| Authors | |
| Early Pub Date | August 19, 2023 |
| Publication Date | August 25, 2023 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2023 Volume: 3 Issue: 2 |
