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Dentistry |
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Many dental care professionals are at risk for occupational exposure to a variety of hazardous chemicals
and situations. Being unaware of the potential hazards in the work environment makes them more vulnerable to injury. The following
references aid in recognizing hazards in the workplace.
Beryllium
- Preventing Adverse Health Effects From Exposure to Beryllium in Dental Laboratories.
OSHA Health Information Bulletin (HIB), (revised 2002, May 14). Also available as a 42 KB PDF, 9 pages.
Provides information on the ways in which beryllium exposures can be reduced, the type of protective equipment which can be worn to
reduce exposure, and on the type of medical surveillance procedures that can be used to identify workers who may be sensitized to
beryllium, or who may be in the early stages of CBD.
- Beryllium. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
Bloodborne Pathogens and Infection Control
Ergonomics
- Health and Wellness. American Dental Association (ADA). Includes information on its Dental Health and Wellness page on fitness and conditioning, Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), ADA/OSHA Alliance and OSHA Resources, seminar series, and additional literature.
- An Introduction to Ergonomics: Risk Factors, MSDs, Approaches and Interventions. A Report of the Ergonomics and Disability Support Advisory Committee (EDSAC) to Council on Dental Practice (CDP), 123 KB PDF, 26 pages.
- Ergo Tips–Hand Pain. OSHA and the American Dental Association (ADA) Alliance, 153 KB PDF, 3 pages. Helps dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants identify common conditions that cause hand pain and provides information on how to prevent hand pain. This information sheet is a product of the OSHA and ADA Alliance.
- Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA)
- Rising, David W., DMD and Bradford C. Bennett, PhD, et. al. "Reports of body pain in a dental student population." 2005;136(1):81-6.
- Valachi, Bethany, MS, PT, CEAS and Keith Valachi, DDS. "Preventing musculoskeletal disorders in clinical dentistry." 2003;134(12):1604-12.
- Valachi, Bethany, MS, PT, CEAS and Keith Valachi, DDS. "Mechanisms leading to musculoskeletal disorders in dentistry."
2003;134(10):1344-50.
- Dental Hygienists at Risk for CTS. Ergonomics Today, (2002, September 18). Ergonomic news regarding the incidence of carpel tunnel syndrome (CTS) in dental hygienists.
- Ergonomics.
OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
Silica Dust
- What Dental Technicians Need To Know About Silicosis. New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Occupational Health Surveillance Program, 117 KB PDF, 2 pages. Provides an informational brochure about the hazards associated with exposures to silica.
- Silica. OSHA eTool. Assists in determining silica exposure, obtaining a measure of the silica concentration, and provides instruction on protective measures.
- Silica, Crystalline.
OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
Waste Anesthetic Gases
- OSHA Technical Manual (OTM). OSHA Directive TED 01-00-015 [TED 1-0.15A], (1999, January 20).
- NIOSH Warns: Nitrous Oxide Continues to Threaten Health Care Workers. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-118, (1994, June 14). Provides a brief update of the hazards of exposure to nitrous oxide (N2O), including steps for prevention. Presents control measures for preventing or greatly reducing exposure to N20 during the administration of anesthetic gas.
- NIOSH Alert: Controlling Exposures to Nitrous Oxide During Anesthetic Administration. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-100, (1994). Concludes that exposure to N20 causes decreases in mental performance, audiovisual ability, and manual dexterity and that adverse reproductive effects may also result from chronic exposure to N20.
- Analyzing Workplace Exposures Using Direct Reading Instruments and Video Exposure Monitoring
Techniques. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No.
92-104, (1992, August). Contains case studies describing a variety of circumstances where the video exposure monitoring techniques provided useful information not obtainable by integrated sampling.
- Case Study E: Dental Administration of Nitrous Oxide. Analyzes workplace exposures to waste nitrous oxide during dental procedures.
- Nitrous Oxide in Workplace Atmospheres (Passive Monitor). OSHA Inorganic Method ID-166, (revised 1994, May). Describes the sample collection of airborne nitrous oxide (N2O). There is sufficient concern to warrant positive steps to control the airborne levels of N2O in workplaces, such as medical, dental and veterinary facilities.
- For additional information, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages on:
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