Tinnitus Prevalence and Associated Factors among Dental Clinicians in the United Arab Emirates

Mohannad Nassar (), Md Sofiqul Islam, Stancey D’souza, Milan Praveen, Mohammad Hani Al Masri, Salvatore Sauro and Ahmed Jamleh
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Mohannad Nassar: Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
Md Sofiqul Islam: Ras Al Khaimah College of Dental Sciences, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Science University, Ras Al Khaimah 11172, United Arab Emirates
Stancey D’souza: Ras Al Khaimah College of Dental Sciences, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Science University, Ras Al Khaimah 11172, United Arab Emirates
Milan Praveen: Ras Al Khaimah College of Dental Sciences, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Science University, Ras Al Khaimah 11172, United Arab Emirates
Mohammad Hani Al Masri: Ras Al Khaimah College of Dental Sciences, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Science University, Ras Al Khaimah 11172, United Arab Emirates
Salvatore Sauro: Dental Biomaterials and Minimally Invasive Dentistry, Departamento de Odontología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, C/Del Pozo ss/n, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain
Ahmed Jamleh: Restorative and Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-10

Abstract: Dental clinicians are at increased risk for developing tinnitus due to exposure to high levels of occupational noise. This study aimed to determine tinnitus prevalence and associated factors among dental clinicians. Interviews were conducted with 150 randomly selected dental clinicians using a questionnaire. Noise levels were measured at three points of time at the operating area. Tinnitus was reported in 19.33% of the participants. The average noise level was significantly higher among participants with tinnitus compared to those without the condition. More participants complained of intermittent tinnitus and the rest had the constant type, with the latter being significantly more bothersome. The weekly average time of using high-speed handpieces, suction and electric handpieces, age and experience had a significant effect on the presence of tinnitus. Only 2.7% of the participants reported the use of a hearing protection device. Tinnitus is a common finding among dental clinicians especially those with higher levels of occupational noise and more frequent use of noise-generating equipment. Knowledge of tinnitus prevalence aids in realizing the extent of its impact and making informed decisions. These results call for improved awareness of the negative impact of clinically-generated noise and emphasize the importance of preventive measures and periodic audiometry exams.

Keywords: tinnitus; noise; dental clinicians; prevalence; ear protection; bothersome; intermittent; constant; dentist; decibel (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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