Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
Assessment of Nerve Injury-Induced Mechanical Hypersensitivity in Rats Using an Orofacial Operant Pain Assay
Published on: July 26, 2022
[Study of peripheral sensorineural function in a cohort of dental hygienists]
1Unità Clinica Operativa di Medicina del Lavoro, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Trieste, c/o Centro Tumori, Via della Pietà 19, 34129 Trieste. fronchese@units.it
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate over time the changes in thermotactile and vibrotactile sensitivity in a cohort of dental hygiene students exposed to high-frequency vibration from dental tools. Thermal perception thresholds for warmth and cold (TPT in degrees C) and vibrotactile perception thresholds (VPT in ms-2 r.m.s) at 31.5 Hz and 125 Hz were measured at the fingertips of the 2nd digit and 5th digit of both hands in 52 controls and 30 dental hygiene students. At baseline, there were no significant differences in either TPT or VPT between the two groups. No significant changes in tactile sensitivity were observed in the dental hygienists over 1-year follow-up period. In conclusion, shortterm exposure to high-frequency vibration from dental tools did not affect tactile sensitivity in a cohort of young dental hygienists.
