Health and safety in the dental workplace

There is a misconception that dentistry is a relatively safe profession. However, in a study conducted in the United States, dentists and dental hygienists were identified as having an "occupation that adversely affects health." The study highlighted exposure to radiation, exposure to disease and infections, and time spent working in a sitting position as the most prominent negative health effects of the oral health profession. The awareness of these occupational risks and how to manage them remains low.

Oral health professionals face challenges in the workplace

The 2015 Dentist Well-Being Survey Report revealed that most dentists (67%) say they have a moderate level of stress at work. Stress in the dental practice can arise from several factors, including heavy workloads, running late, and treating anxious patients. The workplace has an impact on mental health and well-being, and dental clinics are no exception. Improved office design can help reduce practitioner stress and improve well-being. 
The Health and Safety in the Dental Workplace project, launched in 2019, seeks to respond to these challenges with practical tools and a global communication campaign to help improve health and safety for the oral healthcare team at work.

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Health and Safety in the workplace

Goal 1

Increase global awareness of health and safety in the dental workplace to a defined target audience

Goal 2

To publish guidelines for oral health clinicians and staff on maintaining a safe and healthy working environment and encouraging optimal teamwork

Ergonomics and posture

Phase 1 highlights the importance of ergonomics in the dental workplace, providing oral health professionals with guidance on how to strike a balance between maintaining a good posture and providing efficient treatment.

Check out our guidelines and videos!

RESOURCES

Ergonomics and posture guidelines
Ergonomics and posture guidelines for oral health professionals
Brochure

These guidelines highlight the importance of ergonomics in the dental workplace. They provide oral health professionals with guidance on how to strike a balance between maintaining a good posture and providing efficient treatment.

Ergonomics and posture - Italian subtitles

Health and Safety phase I Task Team

Health and Safety phase I Task Team provides guidance, scientific expertise and content to develop the project deliverables of phase I of the project, which seeks to help improve health and safety for the oral healthcare team at work with practical tools about ergonomics and posture and a global communication campaign.

Assist. Prof. Duygu Ilhan
Türkiye
Mr Tim Caruso
United States of America
Dr Masashi Ishida
Japan
Dr Jean-Michel Laffont
France
RELATED NEWS
  • HSDW
    04/28/2021
    FDI’s Health & Safety in the Dental Workplace project publishes new guidelines on proper ergonomics and posture
  • Ergonomics in dentistry
    10/04/2021
    Don’t wait until it hurts. Helping dentists adopt the right working postures in celebration of National Ergonomics Month
  • Ida
    09/28/2021
    IDJ: read the October issue

Mental health and well-being

The aim of this second phase is to provide National Dental Associations (NDAs) with appropriate tools to help them improve mental health and well-being services for oral health professionals in their country. 

Secondly, this phase will also provide oral health professionals with information and tools to manage mental health problems for all employees in the dental practice, including themselves. 

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Mental Health well being

Health and Safety phase II Task Team

Health and Safety phase II Task Team provides guidance, scientific expertise and content to develop the project deliverables of phase II of the project, which seeks to help improve mental health and wellbeing of the oral healthcare team by developing an online toolkit and communication resources.

Roz McMullan
United Kingdom
Tim Newton
United Kingdom
Robert Utsman
Costa Rica

RESOURCES

Dental Check-up Mental Health Series
Dental Check-up : Mental Health Series

This three-part series, focuses on mental health in the dental workplace, and is hosted by renowned expert Prof. Tim Newton who has worked as a psychologist in dentistry for over 30…

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Mental Health toolkit

Digital Toolkit

Mental health and well-being in the dental workplace

 

RELATED NEWS
  • Ida
    03/18/2022
    Read the International Dental Journal article collection curated in celebration of World Oral Health Day
  • Ida
    04/01/2022
    Read the April issue of the International Dental Journal

Infection Prevention and Control in the dental setting

The third phase of the Health and Safety in the Dental Workplace project is producing a supplement reviewing some of the different aspects of Infection Prevention and Control in the dental clinic, which will be published in the International Dental Journal (IDJ).

The aim is to enhance the health and safety standards for oral health professionals in the workplace by conducting a comprehensive review and dissemination of up-to-date information on infection prevention and control in dental clinics. 

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ROMW

The Health and Safety in the Dental Workplace project is supported by :

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