EVALUATION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND RISK-FACTORS IN DENTAL PRACTICE

Abstract

Oral healthcare professionals are exposed to multiple occupational hazards, including physical workload, ergonomics, biological and chemical agents, ionizing radiation, and psychosocial stress. This cross-sectional study assessed work-related health problems and occupational risk factors among dentists, resident doctors, and dental assistants in Georgia. Data were collected nationwide in 2023–2024 using a mixed-format, self-administered questionnaire. A total of 359 fully completed questionnaires were analyzed. The survey covered sociodemographic and professional characteristics, working conditions and ergonomics, musculoskeletal symptoms, psychosocial stress, infection control, radiation safety, allergic manifestations, visual and auditory symptoms, and occupational safety practices. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed.

Musculoskeletal pain was highly prevalent in both men (88.1%) and women (88.4%; p=0.93), with low back pain being most frequent (n=240; 66.9%), followed by shoulder pain (n=216; 60.2%). Over half of participants reported pain in one region (51.8%), nearly a quarter in two regions (23.9%), and fewer in three or four regions (14.2% and 10.0%, respectively). Ordinal logistic regression indicated that longer professional experience increased the likelihood of multi-regional pain (OR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.05–1.19; p=0.001), with dentists and residents showing higher odds than assistants (OR=2.00, 95% CI: 0.99–4.05 and OR=2.77, 95% CI: 1.31–5.88, respectively). Pain prevalence ranged from 82.8% to 95.2% across specialties and was highest in orthopedic dentists (95.2%; p=0.014). Ergonomic factors were generally not associated with pain, except that taking brief 10-minute patient-related breaks was significantly associated with lower pain prevalence (p=0.04).

Stress was positively associated with professional experience and daily working hours, with each additional year and hour increasing the likelihood of high stress by 9% (aOR=1.09, 95% CI: 1.02–1.16) and 42% (aOR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.27–1.59), respectively. Dentists and residents reported higher stress than assistants (aOR=2.15, 95% CI: 1.05–4.41 and aOR=3.34, 95% CI: 1.55–7.22, respectively). Access to psychological support was limited, with 87.2% (n=313) indicating services were unavailable.

Occupational injuries were frequent: 30.1% (n=108) reported infection-related incidents, and 99.4% consistently used gloves. Subcutaneous injuries affected 68.0%, most often caused by needles (46.2%) and involving fingers (60.7%) and palms (10.6%). Higher stress levels and longer working hours were associated with increased risk of allergic reactions (OR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.24–1.93 and OR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.11–1.48, respectively). Eye problems were reported by 49.9% (n=179) and auditory symptoms by 33.7%, with limited use of protective equipment. Career satisfaction differed by professional role (χ² = 12.25, p=0.002), with dentists and assistants more satisfied than residents, and was moderately correlated with work–life balance (ρ=0.435, p < 0.001).

These findings indicate a substantial burden of occupational health problems among oral healthcare professionals in Georgia. Strengthening ergonomic practices, occupational safety training, and preventive measures tailored to dentists, residents, and assistants is essential to improve workforce health and sustainability.