Identifying Occupational Risks in Dentistry

This paper has focused on improving the methodology to identify and control the new and persistent risks of injury and disease in the dental profession. The first step and key component of a health and safety program is to identify all situations or events that could affect the safety of workers in the dental profession. The methodology used benchmarking literature available but it also relied on personal experience and on a series of best practices and guidelines that describe methods for employers and employees to improve health and safety in the dental field. The research has allowed the preparation of lists that provide basic information about the biological, chemical, physical and psychosocial hazard, well as on the main control strategies for dental offices. The information contained in this paper is intended to serve as a guide for continuous improvement of OHS systems in the dental profession.