RISCOS OCUPACIONAIS QUíMICOS NO CONHECIMENTO DE CIRURGI ES DENTISTAS

The consequences for the health of the work are the result of the interaction of the body with agents/factors existing in the working environment, characterizing the occupational exposure. The dentists are exposed to various occupational hazards, whether chemical, physical, mechanical, ergonomic or accidents. The aim of this study was identify whether dentists and dental students know the risks that they are exposed to chemicals during their practical work. A questionnaire was given to 33 dentists and 33 students of final year of Dentistry, about his knowledge of the chemical agents which dental professionals are exposed and what the risks posed by exposure to each of these agents. With the exception of ether and formaldehyde, most students are exposed to all the chemicals studied, while dentists are less exposed to ether, formaldehyde and surgical cement. The majority of students do 16 chemicals associated with health problems, including alcohol, antibacterial liquid soap, latex, powder, glutaraldehyde, sodium alginate and glass ionomer. Most dentists not associated products with 11 health problems, like a list of the students. None dentist and only 6.1% of the students associated the risk of cancer with exposure to cement/plaster. Only 24.2% of dentists and 21.1% of students associated methyl methacrylate exposure with lung disorders. Dentists and dental students don’t have an adequate knowledge of the risks involved with exposure to the chemicals they use every day, and it may result in not using appropriate protective equipment and occupational diseases.