Abstract
Introduction: Noise is increasingly becoming pervasive in occupational health concerning practicing dentists as well as patients. A stimulus such as noise from dental equipment compared to anxiety is often multifactorial and can result from a combination of fear of pain, dental instruments noise, or even upcoming negative events and future threats. Aim: This study aimed to assess fear and annoyance levels among adolescents attending a rural dental health centre and compare the acoustic noise levels of dental equipment and its association with fear and annoyance levels among adolescents. Methods: The acoustic noise spectra originating from different tools/equipment in a rural dental health centre is assessed using an application named sound meter of a standard mobile android phone (Samsung galaxy grand 2). Following a 15-minute treatment, a questionnaire was filled by a professional investigator through personal interviews with all subjects. The data is subjected to analysis by Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0. Results: 61.5% of the subjects felt anxious about the anticipatory dental visit, and there was a significant difference observed between genders. Chi-square analysis revealed no significant differences in the fear and annoyance with increasing noise levels in various treatment groups. (p> 0.05). Conclusion: In the present study, fear and annoyance levels increased with increasing noise levels of equipment. Annoyance was found to be significantly higher in females.
Highlights
Noise is increasingly becoming pervasive in occupational health concerning practicing dentists as well as patients
In the present study, fear and annoyance levels increased with increasing noise levels of equipment
Fig. (2) shows the mean noise levels produced by various dental equipment included in the study
Summary
Noise is increasingly becoming pervasive in occupational health concerning practicing dentists as well as patients. Practicing dentists, as well as patients, are pervasively concerned about occupational health hazards due to noise [3]. 596 The Open Dentistry Journal, 2021, Volume 15 as reported by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) [5]. Such NIHL is found in dentists and dental auxiliaries [6]. There are reports of noise causing nonauditory effects like a rapid reaction to stress, heart rate variations, high blood pressure, alteration in respiration, variations in blood glucose and lipid levels, associated with psychical consequences like mental fatigue, annoyance, and a reduction in work or professional efficiency [7]
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