Hand arm vibration syndrome in dentistry: A review

Exposure to vibrating hand-held tools can cause a variety of vascular and neuromuscular symptoms collectively named Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). The use of dental hand pieces exposes the dental personnel to high-frequency vibration. Dentists and Dental technicians have been shown to have a high frequency of finger-related and other upper limb symptoms and a high prevalence of osteoarthrosis in the distal interphalangeal joints. HAVS can be reversible, at least in the earlier stages, but resolution of symptoms is unusual in more severe cases, and continued use of vibrating tools in such cases is unwise. The Author concludes with a plea to health professionals to be ever vigilant and responsive to the HAVS problem or else it will proceed unabated into the next century.