Journal of Dental Research, Vol 69, 489-493, Copyright © 1990 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals

ARTICLES

Hearing-damage risk and communication interference in dental practice

C. E. Wilson, T. K. Vaidyanathan, W. R. Cinotti, S. M. Cohen and S. J. Wang
Department of Mechanical Engineering, New Jesey Institute of Technology, Newark 07102.

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.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. M. HYSON JR. The air turbine and hearing loss: Are dentists at risk? J Am Dent Assoc, December 1, 2002; 133(12): 1639 - 1642. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]