Integrative condition assessment in dentists as a basis for the prevention of emergency situations in outpatient dentistry

BACKGROUND: Dentists’ work is associated with significant emotional stress, specific physical exertion, including prolonged static positions, and exposure to noise and vibration. These occupational factors are linked to hypertension.

AIM: To assess the functional status of a dentist under outpatient visit conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included dentists of varying ages. A functional and psychoemotional status assessment protocol was developed, which was used by study subjects to enter self-measured blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) before and after work (8:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 8:00 PM). To ensure objective assessment, the study included a control group of dentists of varying ages, where functional parameters were measured and monitored by healthcare professionals.

RESULTS: BP and HR measurements before and after work were received in both groups. In young dentists, the measurements before work were as follows: systolic BP (SBP) 117.6 mm Hg [115; 121], diastolic BP (DBP) 74.3 mm Hg [71; 78], and HR 75.4 bpm [70; 81]. In middle-aged dentists, the measurements before work were as follows: SBP 120.5 mm Hg [117; 123], DBP 78.2 mm Hg [74; 83], and HR 75.2 bpm [73; 78]. In older dentists, the measurements before work were as follows: SBP 130.6 mm Hg [128; 132], DBP 80.8 mm Hg [77; 84], and HR 79.2 bpm [77; 85].

After work, there was an expected increase in all parameters in all age groups. In young dentists of the control group, the measurements before and after work were as follows: SBP 119.6 mm Hg [117; 122] and 130.2 mm Hg [128; 133], respectively; DBP 82.4 mm Hg [78; 84] and 85.4 mm Hg [72; 87], respectively; and HR 77.2 bpm [75; 79] and 83.3 bpm [80; 83], respectively. In middle-aged dentists of the control group, the measurements before and after work were as follows: SBP 125.3 mm Hg [123; 127] and 137.4 mm Hg [134; 139], respectively; DBP 85.4 mm Hg [82; 87] and 86.2 mm Hg [84; 88], respectively; and HR 75.4 bpm [73; 79] and 83.2 bpm [80; 85], respectively. In older dentists of the control group, the measurements before and after work were as follows: SBP 140.2 mm Hg [138; 141] and 149.5 mm Hg [147; 151], respectively; DBP 88.3 mm Hg [86; 90] and 92.3 mm Hg [89; 94], respectively; and HR 80.3 bpm [78; 83] and 81.2 bpm [79; 83], respectively.

CONCLUSION: There were significant changes in functional parameters (BP and HR) during the day in dentists of varying ages, depending on the time of day and age, which may indicate potential cardiovascular risks. The control group showed a significant increase in the assessed functional parameters in the same age groups. These findings necessitate additional informing of dentists on occupational risks in order to encourage preventive measures, which may have a significant impact on quality of life and life expectancy in the future.