Professional hazards among dentists of the two public sector teaching hospitals of khyber pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Professional Hazards are becoming an impending health problem in various specialties and dentists are no exception because of the nature of the stressful work they perform. A study was carried out among dental professionals working in two teaching hospitals, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar and Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad, to find out prevalence of professional hazards including psychological, muscuoskeletal, biological and allergic problems. Questionnaires were distributed among 150 dentists having BDS degree and registered with Pakistan Medical and Dental Council [PMDC]. Questions pertaining to psychological, musculoskel-etal, biological and allergic hazards were included in the questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 17. Out of 150, 113 questionnaires were returned. Among the dental professionals, 50% were dental graduates, 35% post graduate trainees and the rest were either Members or Fellows of the College of Physicians and Surgeons i.e., MCPS, FCPS respectively or MSc. Work experience was < 5 years among 61% of the dentists while only 9.7% had work experience of > 20 years. When asked about any current psychologically traumatic condition, 42% dentists answered with yes. For psychological stress, 18.6% stated it had negative influence on the working environment. Regarding various I musculoskeletal disorders, 33.6% of the dentists had no complaints, while 9.7% suffered from back ache, headache, knee ache, and neck pain. About the approach for treating maxillary teeth, 48.7% used direct approach [direct vision for dental procedures], while 45.1% treated patients using sitting posture. When inquired about frequency of needle stick injuries, 54% were pricked <5 time. Also 46.9% had eye splash from infected saliva and 43.4% had experienced glove puncture during surgical procedure < 5 times during their work. 82.3% dentists were immunized against Hepatitis B. Concerning allergic reactions, 17% suffered from latex allergy and 8% had allergy from acrylic resin, An increased prevalence of psychological and musculoskeletal problems were found among dentists. Majority of dentists came across eye splash, needle stick injury and glove puncture during-their practice. Rate of immunization was effective but use of universal precautions was found to be inadequate among them