Working conditions and risk exposure of employees whose occupations require driving on public roads - Factorial analysis and classification.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies of the working conditions of drivers, and in particular on their pace of work, have enabled a better understanding of the risk factors for road accidents that occur during work. However, few studies are available on the risk exposure and working conditions of employees whose occupations involve driving. The purpose of this paper is to identify the different groups of employees occupationally exposed to road risk and to classify them according to working conditions. METHODOLOGY: A Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was implemented on the 41,727 individuals from the SUMER 2010 survey (Medical Monitoring of Occupational Risk Exposure: SUrveillance Médicale des Expositions aux Risques professionnels) and for 45 variables about working conditions. The analysis used 5 categories of weekly driving exposure as a supplementary variable (variable which is not used to perform the MCA): Non-exposure; Exposed <2 h; Exposed 2-10 hours; Exposed 10-20 hours; and Exposed >20 h. The results of the MCA were used to construct an ascending hierarchical classification. RESULTS: The first factorial axis differentiates between conventional and unconventional work schedules. Axis 2 differentiates modalities corresponding to the working hours of the most recent working week. The third axis chiefly contrasts persons who have rules to follow with those who have none. An ascending hierarchical classification distinguishes 10 clusters of individuals according to working conditions. Four clusters of employees were excessively exposed to occupational driving. Clusters also have distinct demographic, occupational and psychosocial characteristics. CONCLUSION: Analysis of data from the SUMER survey confirms that employees exposed to road risk are particularly affected by atypical work time characteristics, but can be found in all activity sectors and in all types of job.

The effectiveness of an amine fluoride/stannous fluoride dentifrice on the gingival health of teenagers: results after six months.

The objectives of the present study included examining the effect of non-supervised tooth brushing with an amine fluoride/stannous fluoride (AmF/SnF2) dentifrice on gingival health of teenagers in a field trial over six months. Jerusalem high-school adolescents (246) participated in a double-blind study with a NaF dentifrice serving as control. No oral hygiene instruction or supervision was given. Examinations took place at baseline, three weeks, three months and six months. In all examinations, no differences were revealed for plaque levels. Other results indicated a consistent advantage for the AmF/SnF2 group. Gingival Index (GI) scores were significantly lower in the test group at the three month examination (GI = 0.85, compared to GI = 0.89; p = 0.036) and at the six month examination (GI = 0.72, compared to 0.78; p = 0.042) than among controls. Mean bleeding on probing scores were lower in the AmF/SnF2 than in the control group at the six month examination (0.53, compared to 0.63; p = 0.041). No side effects, including staining, were reported, nor found, among the AmF/SnF2 group. In addition to the well established caries preventive role of fluoride dentifrice, these data indicate an additional and important public health role of a AmF/SnF2 dentifrice, in preventing gingivitis.

Dental underemployment: a study of uncontrolled dental manpower immigration.

In the 1980s three studies were conducted in Israel utilising different methods of dental manpower evaluations. All identified a large future surplus of dentists. The current study re-evaluates the manpower supply and discusses possible solutions. A random sample of 800 dentists was approached by three mailings and a telephone call follow-up with a response of 49.7 per cent. Almost 90 per cent of dentists reported an undersupply of patients, with a mean working load of 26.3 hours/week, but being willing to add up to 3.4 working hours/week. The oversupply of dentists has been dramatically affected by the addition of almost 1000 dentists who emigrated to Israel in 1991-92. To prevent a significant unemployment rate among dentists and an uncontrolled free market, it is urgently suggested for the benefit of both provider and consumer that; the demand for services be increased and additional financing of dental care be made available, that the total number of dentists be decreased by various measures and that their geographical distribution be improved. If necessary limits should be placed on the number of practices or the number of patients permitted per practice.