September, 2009

Singapore

Singapore

Introduction

Dental care workers are exposed to many occupational hazards. These range from toxicity to chemicals routinely used in dentistry, threat of cross infection in the dental clinic, to musculo-skeletal diseases consequential to sub-optimal working posture. Awareness of these occupational hazards and implementation of preventive strategies can necessarily provide a safe practice environment for all concerned.

Statement

FDI urges all dental professionals to implement safety and health standards designed to prevent on-the-job injuries and limit workers' risk of developing occupational disease and, maintain a healthy environment. To this end, all employers are responsible for ensuring that:

• Employees are appropriately trained in delegated work procedures to obtain optimal output without accidents and injuries.
• Employees follow safe work practices and related international, regional or local regulations and occupational health directives and, make safety and health a part of their daily routine.
• All personnel are held accountable for implementing the defined programme of health and safety.

Addenda and Explanatory Notes to Occupational Health in Dentistry

Background

This was originally commissioned as Project 4-98 `Occupational hazards in dentistry` and managed by Professor LP Samaranayake. Due to the vast spectrum of the project and the duplication with projects such as cross infection control and mercury hazard, a decision was made to publish the commissioned review as two, successive state-of-the art summary articles in the now discontinued `FDI World`. The outcomes of the project are tabulated.

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