CLINICAL AND HYGIENIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE INFLUENCE OF HARMFUL FACTORS IN THE WORK OF A DOCTOR SPECIALTY "DENTISTRY"

Abstract

Introduction. Dental care is one of the most requested medical services, and improving the quality of its provision is one of priorities for health care. The work of dentists is often associated with the exposure to a number of adverse factors, including visual and emotional stress, forced work, improper lighting, contact with allergens and toxic substances, noise, vibration, laser, ultraviolet, X-ray irradiation, infections. Prolonged exposure to occupational adverse factors can result in a number of occupational disease. The purpose of this study is to conduct a comprehensive clinical and hygienic assessment of working conditions of dentists. Materials and methods. The objects of the study were working conditions at 148 workplaces of dentists aged from 25 to 63 years (a total of 148 people) in dental offices in the state-funded and private settings in the Transcarpathian region. The study is base on legislative framework including the Law of Ukraine "On Sanitation and epidemic welfare of the population" and sanitary norms and rules "Hygienic classification of labour by indicators of harmful and dangerous factors of the working environment, severity and intensity of the labour process" that are underpinned by the principle of differentiation of assessments of working conditions taking into account their possible harmful effects on the health of healthcare professionals.
 Results. The study has demonstrated that the microclimate, noise, local vibration, ultrasound, and infrasound findings were in full compliance with sanitary norms and rules "Hygienic classification of work on the indicators of harmfulness and danger of factors of the working environment, severity and intensity of the work process"; illumination values were below the standards, while air pollution was higher than normal. The levels of total artificial light generated by fluorescent lamps were insufficient (280 ± 2.4 lux) and did not reach the reference values (at least 500 lux). Combined illuminance values (871.3 ± 3.9 lux) were also below standard values. The dust concentration in the air within the working area of dentists ranged from 0.03 to 4.68 mg/m3, while the r the maximum allowable concentration is of 4 mg/m3. Indicators of illumination and air pollution at the workplaces of dentists can be attributed to 3.1 class that corresponds to the harmful class of working conditions of the first degree. Conclusion. The comparative analysis carried out in accordance with existing legislations and medical standards has revealed that working conditions of dentists working at outpatient public and private settings can be assessed as harmful (3rd grade), I degree. Adverse working conditions and the health status of dentists indicate the urgent necessity in improving preventive measures in order to reduce potentially hazardous impact and create healthy working environment.