[Evaluation of cardiac function in dentists during professional activity]

In this study research was carried out a comparison between different dental situations by using a common parameter: myocardial oxygen consumption, accurately expressed in terms of cardiac exercise. Important increase in the previously specified parameter in dentists were provocated by dental extractions conducted on anxious patients. Tooth extractions undertaken on calm and cooperative patients determined an increase of cardiac exercise in dentists similar to those caused by amalgam restoration conducted on a manikin, but not in ergonomic work conditions. The situation, referred previously, resulted more stressing for the dentist, as regard to a similar restoration conducted, this time, in ergonomic work conditions. Amalgam restoration performed on calm and cooperative patients caused alterations of cardiac exercise as referred previously to those provocated by a similar restoration conducted on a manikin in ergonomic conditions. These findings show that work conditions and patients anxiety have a negative influence on the dentists' cardiovascular apparatus. The corrisponding poor modification of the oxygen consumption in the whole organism demonstrates that major part of cardiac exercise is dissipated by stress.