There are many occupational health risks in modern dentistry. These include exposure to infectious diseases (such as hepatitus B and C (HBV and HVC) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)), musculoskeletal and other injuries, contact dermatitis, radiation noise, mercury, dental materials and stress. Percutaneous injuries are particular concern to those dentists who may be exposed to serious infectious agents (such as HIV, HBV and HCV), and further education on how to avoid injuries would be beneficial. Dentists should receive HBV immunisation and use personal protective measures and appropriate sterilisation or high-level disinfection techniques. Additional studies are required in order to identify causes of and appropriate interventions for musculoskeletal pain and contact dermatitis - which may reduce thier prevalence. Clearly dentists should be kept up to date with current OHS practices (particularly in areas such as exposure to mercury, radiation and some newer dental materials) through continuing education programs and practice audits
