[A survey on dental offices: risk assessment and practicable preventive and protective measures]

The survey was aimed at developing a method and providing valuable tools to be used for risk assessment in dental practices and for the implementation of preventive and protective measures. For these purposes general (inspection card for the definition of risk level for health and safety) and specific tools (check-lists) were used. In each dental office chemical and physical hazards (noise and hand-arm vibration) were assessed. Adequate levels of security were achieved, even if workers' training was evidenced as a critical element. In the 90% of cases, rooms for specific use were available and suitable according the law. The risk of work-related stress was acceptable in almost all the analyzed dental offices. Chemical and specific physical hazards appeared to be below the action level. Biological risk doesn't seem to be a critical element, even though its control could be further improved.