Health and safety in the dental workplace
There is a misconception that dentistry is a relatively safe profession. However, in a study conducted in the United States, dentists and dental hygienists were identified as having an "occupation that adversely affects health." The study highlighted exposure to radiation, exposure to disease and infections, and time spent working in a sitting position as the most prominent negative health effects of the oral health profession. The awareness of these occupational risks and how to manage them remains low.
Oral health professionals face challenges in the workplace
The 2015 Dentist Well-Being Survey Report revealed that most dentists (67%) say they have a moderate level of stress at work. Stress in the dental practice can arise from several factors, including heavy workloads, running late, and treating anxious patients. The workplace has an impact on mental health and well-being, and dental clinics are no exception. Improved office design can help reduce practitioner stress and improve well-being.
The Health and Safety in the Dental Workplace project, launched in 2019, seeks to respond to these challenges with practical tools and a global communication campaign to help improve health and safety for the oral healthcare team at work.
Goal 1
Increase global awareness of health and safety in the dental workplace to a defined target audience
Goal 2
To publish guidelines for oral health clinicians and staff on maintaining a safe and healthy working environment and encouraging optimal teamwork
Ergonomics and posture
Phase 1 highlights the importance of ergonomics in the dental workplace, providing oral health professionals with guidance on how to strike a balance between maintaining a good posture and providing efficient treatment.
Check out our guidelines and videos!
RESOURCES
Ergonomics and posture - Italian subtitles
Health and Safety phase I Task Team
Health and Safety phase I Task Team provides guidance, scientific expertise and content to develop the project deliverables of phase I of the project, which seeks to help improve health and safety for the oral healthcare team at work with practical tools about ergonomics and posture and a global communication campaign.
Mental health and well-being
The aim of this second phase is to provide National Dental Associations (NDAs) with appropriate tools to help them improve mental health and well-being services for oral health professionals in their country.
Secondly, this phase will also provide oral health professionals with information and tools to manage mental health problems for all employees in the dental practice, including themselves.
Health and Safety phase II Task Team
Health and Safety phase II Task Team provides guidance, scientific expertise and content to develop the project deliverables of phase II of the project, which seeks to help improve mental health and wellbeing of the oral healthcare team by developing an online toolkit and communication resources.
RESOURCES
Infection Prevention and Control in the dental setting
The third phase of the Health and Safety in the Dental Workplace project is producing a supplement reviewing some of the different aspects of Infection Prevention and Control in the dental clinic, which will be published in the International Dental Journal (IDJ).
The aim is to enhance the health and safety standards for oral health professionals in the workplace by conducting a comprehensive review and dissemination of up-to-date information on infection prevention and control in dental clinics.
The Health and Safety in the Dental Workplace project is supported by :
