Occupational hygiene practices of dentists in southern Thailand.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence and nature of infection control, radiation control and handling of mercury, reported by dentists in southern Thailand. METHOD: A cross-sectional study with self-report questionnaire to all 220 dentists working in 14 provinces in southern Thailand in 1997. RESULTS: 178 dentists (80.9%) aged 22-54 years responded. All reported wearing personal protective measures, at least sometimes and using high level disinfection (formerly sterilisation) procedures for handpieces. Most (93.8%) reported changing sterilised handpieces for each patient. The most commonly reported method of high level disinfection was alcohol (37.1%). Just over two-thirds (68.0%) reported having HBV vaccination. Most (94.3%) reportedly took precautions when radiographs were taken and (89.9%) reported protecting their eyes with a UV/blue light shield or filter while using these units. About half of dentists (51.7%) reported storing excess amalgam under water compared with 20.1% that they stored it in a closed box. 77.7% reported using sealed mercury amalgam capsule systems, at least sometimes. Nearly half (47.1%) reported disposing of used capsules in the bin. CONCLUSIONS: The present study has indicated that occupational hygiene practices of dentists in southern Thailand are generally consistent with published guidelines for infection control and also with other populations of dentists studied in the areas of infection control and radiation protection. Further continuing education and investigation of appropriate interventions to promote good occupational hygiene standards may also be needed.

Health of dentists in southern Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence and nature of some health and lifestyle problems of dentists in southern Thailand. METHOD: The design was a cross-sectional study using a self-report questionnaire distributed to all 220 dentists working in 14 provinces in southern Thailand in 1997. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-eight 178 (80.9%) dentists aged 22-54 years responded. Only about one third of dentists 65 (36.7%) reported exercising on a regular basis. Almost one fifth of dentists 35 (19.1%) reported that they consumed alcohol on a weekly basis. Few dentists 4 (2.4%) reported regular smoking. Almost all dentists reported that their practice of dentistry has increased stress or stress-related problems 171 (96.1%). More than two thirds of respondents had had some known or unknown systemic health problem since graduation 112 (71.8%), although most dentists reported having no systemic disease at present 104 (59.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The present study has indicated that dentists in southern Thailand report a high career prevalence of stress, a moderate career prevalence of work-related problems which may be related to job satisfaction, and moderate career prevalence of systemic disease. Further continuing education and investigation of appropriate interventions to improve rates of exercise amongst dentists in southern Thailand is needed.

Occupational health problems of dentists in southern Thailand.

AIMS: To investigate the prevalence and nature of some occupationally related health problems in dentists in southern Thailand. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study using a self-report questionnaire distributed to all 220 dentists working in 14 provinces in southern Thailand in 1997. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and seventy-eight dentists aged between 22 to 54 years responded. RESULTS: The most common occupational health problems were musculoskeletal pain (78 per cent) and percutaneous injury (50 per cent). Associated factors were analysed using multivariate analysis. About 22 per cent of these dentists had a history of contact dermatitis mostly caused by allergy to latex gloves, 15 per cent had eye problems, and 3 per cent had hearing problems. CONCLUSIONS: Continuing education in the avoidance of percutaneous injuries would be beneficial, as exposure to potential infectious agents is of concern. Further studies are needed to identify causes of musculoskeletal pain and to identify appropriate interventions to reduce its prevalence, as would similar measures to reduce exposure to agents which may be producing contact dermatitis.

Bacterial aerosols in the dental clinic: effect of time, position and type of treatment.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate changes in the concentration of total bacterial aerosols before, during, and after the working period at different positions within the same multichair dental clinics. Also to investigate the contribution to total bacterial aerosols, if any, of the aerosols generated from different types of dental procedures, as well as the environment. METHODS: Air sampling using a Slit-to-Agar air sampler at three positions in a multichair dental clinic, performed three times per day over a three week period before work, during work and after work. The second part of the study, in another multichair dental clinic, was performed before working and during three types of dental procedures. RESULTS: The concentration of total bacterial aerosols and Bacillus sp. in air which circulated in the dental clinic was lower at the end of the day than at the beginning. There was no significant change in the concentration of total bacterial aerosols in different positions in the dental clinic or after the three types of dental treatments. The concentration of Bacillus sp. in air not mainly generated during dental procedures and which may come from an environmental source, was reduced. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the proportions of different types of bacteria in air may change before, during and after dental treatment. Preventive measures may need to be instituted to reduce build up of bacterial aerosols in the dental clinic during non-working periods.