Hearing-damage Risk and Communication Interference in Dental Practice

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1990

Abstract

The use of high-speed air-turbine handpieces, operated at 300, 000 to 400, 000 revolutions per minute, has led to concern over the possibility of noise-induced hearing loss. Sound levels were measured in clinical settings and in a pre-clinical laboratory for estimation of hearing-damage risk among dentists, and the extent of communication interference. Octave-band sound pressure levels were obtained with use of a Fast-Fourier-Transform analyzer and associated instrumentation. The results of this study indicate that the sound energy contribution of a typical dental practice is about 8% to 12% of the dentist's average 24-hour noise exposure. However, noise levels during dental procedures result in an articulation index of 0.21 to 0.37, corresponding to understanding of about 18% to 48% of nonsense syllables and 52% to 90% of sentences. It appears that hearing-damage risk is slight among dentists using modern equipment. However, further noise control in handpieces is necessary so that error-free communication during dental procedures can be ensured. © 1990, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.

Identifier

0025377321 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Journal of Dental Research

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345900690021401

e-ISSN

15440591

ISSN

00220345

PubMed ID

2407759

First Page

489

Last Page

493

Issue

2

Volume

69

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