ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the frequency of
occupational hazards and the criteria for their prevention among Iranian
dentists. Material and
Methods This
cross-sectional study was conducted on 187 general
dentists in Kerman. The
data collection tool was a
questionnaire including personal information (
gender, age,
marital status, condition and place and years of
employment, and the average of weekly working hours) and a valid and reliable
questionnaire of
occupational hazards, including 24 questions about
occupational hazards (6 domain) and nine questions about criteria for the prevention of the
risks of
dentistry. The t-
test, chi-square, and
linear regression were used. Results 92 (49.2%) were
men. The mean and standard deviation of the score of
occupational hazards was 27.04±16.21 out of 96, and the criteria of prevention were 22.00±7.28 out of 36.
Regression analysis showed significant correlations between single statuses, years of occupational and type of
employment, weekly
work hours and
occupational hazards, participation in
occupational injury identification
courses, and
hepatitis vaccination. In addition, there were significant correlations between
gender, age, weekly
work hours, and preventive
measures. Moreover, 3.2% of
dentists were in a high-
risk group and 26.2% were weak in preventive
measures. Conclusion A total of 32.6% of
dentists are at moderate
risk of
occupational hazards, and 10.7% meet the prevention criteria properly. It is recommended to hold
training classes to identify
occupational hazards and the criteria for their prevention among
dentists.