Noise exposure among dental assisting students from dental instruments during work-integrated learning: a review

Is noise-induced hearing loss increased in dental clinicians who use the high-speed handpiece compared to dental professionals who use other noise inducing dental equipment?

“…2 Noise is defined as unwanted and unpleasant noise, which may lead to a disruption of the balance or activity of human life. 3 Alongside noise encountered on a daily basis dental professionals are also subjected to noise within the workplace from various sources. 4 Over exposure to hazardous sounds can result in tinnitus, hearing impairment and hearing loss, which can lead to other health complaints including hypertension, sleep disturbance, mental fatigue, nervousness, emotional frustration and general annoyance.…”

“…11 NIHL is the second most common occupational disease to affect the adult population. 3 Prevention of NIHL consists of the use of hearing protection devices (HPD) which can be active sound control or passive noise control. 2 Noise inducing equipment in dentistry Within dentistry several dental instruments are used which have varying levels of noise output.…”