Management Risks In Dentistry

Management risks in dentistry

Introduction

As in all work activity, the exercise of dentistry carries inherent health risks. These risks can be classified according to the agent or cause that produce it: 94.8% of the world’s population claim to suffer stress and work exhaustion, dentists are not exempt from it. After conducting numerous studies, it has been concluded that the factors that cause greater stress among dentists are: those related to legal and insurance matters, the organization of daily practice and the management of the dental clinic. A New Zealand study investigated the cause of greater stress.

Developing

 Intervention with difficult children, time pressure during the intervention and maintenance of high concentration levels. Generating symptoms such as depression and anxiety. To deal with such a problem, it was suggested to go to a psychologist regularly to deal with the fear of failing and carrying out strategies to know how to handle exhaustion and stress in labor practice.

Another daily risk facing the dentist are neuromuscular disorders. The most prevalent regions for pain have proven to be the back and neck, while the regions of hands and dolls were the most prevalent regions for dental hygienists. This can be justified with the study carried out by RafeeManesh et al, where only 60% of dentists knew the ergonomic positions that we can adopt and put them in practices. 

It is essential to adopt an adequate ergonomic posture to avoid repetitive effort injuries, which can be developed over time and cause long -term disability.

The best way to reduce back pressure is to be standing. However, there are times when the dentist needs to sit. 

When sitting, the main part of the body weight is transferred to the seat, therefore, it is essential to know certain ergonomic guidelines when sitting as they are: hips open at 110º, back supported by backrest, regulate the height of the chair, rememberthat the patient’s head must be up to the abdomen of the dentist;Legs totally supported on the ground forming an angle of 90º ..

In addition, we can perform a series of physical exercises of stretching trunk rotation, investment exercise, both at the beginning of the day and at the end, to avoid chronic muscle fatigue. The successful ergonomics application ensures high productivity and increases workers’ satisfaction. 

Professional risks by physical agents

The dentist also presents optical risk in its practice, it is worth highlighting the most striking evidence obtained in the study of Lönnroth & Shahnavaz, where it is stated that only 30% of dentists use ocular protection. Another relevant result was the one discovered in the study conducted by Pereira et al. 

That demonstrated a decrease in visual discrimination of color and contrast sensitivity associated with the use of mercury present in the silver amalgam, material that is currently in disuse. A regular vision review reduces the excessive inclination of the head, and therefore, low back pain. The use of magnifying and endoscopes also favor this bad posture.

conclusion

Regarding the audition, Sampaio Fernandes showed that the most noisy area of a dental clinic is the plaster zone and the Prosthetic laboratory. Work noise is the most common cause of auditory loss in adults, and this noise -induced loss is irreversible. The level of auditory comfort is established in a dental environment 10 days, being beneficial for both the professional and the patient.

But without a doubt, the greatest risk facing dentists are infections, 74.6% of dentists are protected against hepatitis B and 76.1% of influenza dentists. There are different infections to which dental personnel are exposed, it is worth highlighting: viral hepatitis, AIDS, tetanus, simple herpes, tuberculosis, coronavirus. The data obtained in all these studies demonstrate the importance of implementing an adequate prevention philosophy and aware of all workers in the dentistry sector of the dangers and consequences that, for their health, generates our professional activity.

Bibliography

• Moodley R, Naidoo S, Wyk JV. The Prevalence of Occupational Health-Related Problems in Dentistry: A Review of the Literature. J Occup Health. 2018 Mar 27;60 (2): 111-125. DOI: 10.1539/Joh.17-0188-RA
• Pless A, Bernardes Delgado M. The Role of Ergonomic Saddle Seats and Magnification Loupes in the Prevention of Muscleskeletal Disorders. To Systematic Review. Int j dent hyg. 2018 Nov; 16 (4): 430-440. DOI: 10.1111/IDH.12327
• Mulimani P, Hoe Vc, Hayes MJ, Idiculla JJ, Abas Ab, Karanth L. Ergonomic Interventions for Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders in Dental Care Practitioners. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Oct 15;10: CD011261. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011261.Pub2.
• Gupta s. Ergonomic Applications to Dental Practice. Indian J dent res [Serial Online] 2011 [Cited 2020 Mar 19];22: 816-22.