Noise exposure among dental assisting students from dental instruments during work-integrated learning: a review

Abstract

The purpose of the review is to provide the interlocution on the effects of noise on the hearing levels of dental assisting students from dental instruments during work-integrated learning. Primarily, this review provides knowledge on the health and safety within dental practices and laboratories where dental assisting students undergoing practical sessions and/or work-integrated learning and subsequently initiate and develop understanding on the effects on hearing levels. And to identify those dental instruments that have noise level which may potentiate the hearing levels of dental students. Exposure to high levels of noise has been a well-known cause of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Several studies have been completed to determine the effects of noise in dental schools for dental students. Moreover, research has implicated old drills and dental instruments as common causes of noise and this noise can be extremely high, up to 100dB occasionally, and exceeding recommended maximum levels. Many of studies have examined that noise found in a dental practices exceeds exposure limits guidelines. Exposure limits from different agencies has been described. Periodic audiometric evaluation for all dental students should be made mandatory as to identify hearing loss at an early stage and to prevent a permanent hearing loss. Also health education stressing on use of noise protectors, proper maintenance of devices should be included in the curriculum of all dental students. In South Africa, the information and literatures about the exposure of noise on hearing levels of dental assisting students during their practical sessions is still lacking and therefore, this review aims to provide the informed discussion on the exposure levels of noise which may potentiate on the hearing levels of dental assisting student during work integrated learning. At the end, this review will provide recommendations which will assist in limiting noise exposure within dental practices and laboratories where practical sessions are performed.