Noise Exposure in a Dental Teaching Hospital: Investigations and Recommendations for Dental Personnel

Exposure to excessive noise is a highly preventable occupational risk, with irreversible side effects that may negatively impact an individual's quality of life, such as noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus. Dental personnel may be at particular risk due to their exposure to high levels of noise from dental equipment. Despite existing regulations and guidelines, there is limited understanding of cumulative noise exposure in dental teaching hospitals, particularly with respect to compliance with occupational standards. The aim of this study is to quantify the levels of noise exposure experienced by dental personnel at a dental teaching hospital.

Data collection involved acoustic evaluations of five commonly used dental equipment and noise measurements in five distinct hospital locations in the Department of Restorative Dentistry. Reverberation time, ambient noise and noise emitted by equipment were assessed using calibrated instruments. Data analysis was carried out, and results were compared with regulatory guidelines.

Reverberation times ranged from 0.3 to 0.6 s, and ambient noise ranged from 31 dB(A) to 43 dB(A), meeting acoustic design standards. Noise from dental equipment ranged from 53 dB(A) with the ultrasonic scaler to 83 dB(A) with the high-volume suction. Operational room noises ranged from 65 dB(A) in the dental hygiene clinic to 84 dB(A) in the plaster room.

The teaching hospital examined is at low risk of excessive noise exposure due to compliance with both Irish and United Kingdom noise regulations. However, noise levels within the plaster laboratory and from the high-volume suction exceeded 80 dB. Dental teaching clinics should take measures to reduce noise levels in areas and with equipment where noise levels exceed recommended limits. Regular monitoring of noise exposure in such facilities is recommended.