ABSTRACT
Abstracts: Background and Aim: Modern dentistry has been cited as one of the least hazardous of all the occupations, still many risks challenge the status of this occupation. Most of these risks are caused by failure of an individual to adapt to the working environment and establishing appropriate preventive procedures .Every Dental practitioner should have knowledge about professional hazards they encounter everyday like musculoskeletal problems, mercury exposure, accidental needle prick, eye splash and radiation exposure. The present study was conducted to assess knowledge about awareness of basic protocols amongst faculties and students in Dental Institution of Central Gujarat. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge regarding the universal protocols and the level of awareness of occupational hazards amongst the faculty and students of Dental Institution in Central Gujarat. Methodology: The data was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire categorized in three sections from a total of 213 subjects including faculty, postgraduate students, interns and undergraduate students of Dental Institution in Central Gujarat. Results: The present study showed that maximum numbers of undergraduate (48.78%)and post graduate students (62.5%) were working in strained posture while 62.2% of undergraduates were suffering from chronic backache. 67.97% of study subjects were not using any of the radiation protection measures. Majority of the study subjects were lacking in proper mercury and fixer solution disposal protocol. Conclusion: This study shows that although there appears to be a high level of awareness of exposure to occupational hazards, increased awareness must be created about the dangers of chronic mercury poisoning, radiation exposure and the importance of practicing universal protocols and use of proper posture during routine dental practice.