Assessment of occupational hazards and their prevention in the work of dental technicians during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background Work of a dental technician is associated with exposure to a number of harmful factors. We can distinguish: chemical, biological, physical and psychophysical factors. They contribute to many diseases, but not all of them are classified as occupational diseases. The main aim of the study was to assess the health hazards that occur in the workplace of a dental technician and their prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods An epidemiological cross-sectional study was conducted. A self-created questionnaire form containing 28 questions was used. The link to the survey was shared on social groups associating dental technicians. Participation in the study did not require logging in. During the data collection, the respondents' personal data were not collected and processed. Results 148 dental technicians participated in the study. The largest group were participants aged 21-25 (32%), the smallest group were people over 50 (6%). The most frequently occupied position was acrylic and plaster. More than 1/3 of those surveyed reported having allergies, most often to acrylic or metal. More than 20% of technicians reported experience of mechanical injuries several times a week or more. 17% of technicians declared professional burnout. 80% of technicians used protective clothing. Personal protective equipment was always used by only 22% of technicians, and as many as 29% of respondents never used the listed protective equipment. Conclusions Not all dental laboratories were equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment. The most commonly used personal protective equipment included: disposable gloves, disinfectant liquid and extract. The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a change in disinfection procedures in more than 1/3 of the respondents. 35% of them started using disinfection only after the outbreak of the pandemic, while most of the changes concerned the improvement of existing procedures. The length of work experience of technicians had an impact on exposure to stress and occupational burnout. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;74(4):289–99.

Keywords

• prevention
• occupational risk
• harmful factors
• dental technician
• health hazards
• covid-19