Occupational hazards and preventive practices among students and faculty at a private dental institution in India

To assess the level of awareness and occupational hazards experienced in addition to preventive measures undertaken by the students and faculty working at a private dental institution in India.

The present study was conducted at a private dental teaching hospital in India using self-administered questionnaires. All the students attending the clinics and the faculty members of the hospital were invited to participate in the study. The final study population consisted of 290 dental professionals. The self-administered questionnaire also included questions on personal information like age, gender, position (student or faculty), years of experience and number of working hours per day apart from the questions on the level of awareness, preventive procedures undertaken and occupational hazards experienced.

Significantly greater number of females experienced musculoskeletal disorders (p=0.031) and allergy to latex (p=0.004) than males. Nearly half the study population reported of sharp instrument injury while treating the patients. The most prevalent preventive measure reported by the respondents was changing gloves between the patients (98.6%) and use of face mask (97.2%). Most of the participants (94.1%) had undergone Hepatitis B or other vaccination procedures.

Majority of the study population were aware of the biological hazards associated with the practice of dentistry. None of the preventive measures were observed by all the participants.