Scientific optimization of the work process of therapeutic dentists

Abstract

The complex relationship between working conditions and the health of dentists has been studied by Russian and international researchers for a long time. The negative impact of a number of work environment factors on dentists' health has been identified, as have ways to improve the working conditions of dental professionals. Dentists are one of the most numerous categories of healthcare workers, ranking third in terms of occupational disease rates. Dentists' practices are currently being adjusted due to the introduction of the latest advances in the dental industry and the results of healthcare reforms, which create a new set of work factors that negatively impact their health. An analysis of the structure of dental diseases indicates that St. Petersburg is an endemic region for dental caries, with a prevalence of 90-95%. This explains why the majority of visits to dental clinics are related to dental caries and its immediate complications (87.7%). The objective of the study was to provide a comprehensive hygienic assessment of the professional working conditions of general dentists and to scientifically substantiate a system for optimizing their work process. A new approach to assessing the risk of visual impairment in dentists in modern general dental practices was developed. It was found that the visual analyzer is the most sensitive system to the adverse effects of occupational factors in dentists.