Editing Dentistry (section)

===Hazards in modern dentistry===
{{main|Occupational hazards in dentistry}}
Long term occupational noise exposure can contribute to permanent hearing loss, which is referred to as [[noise-induced hearing loss]] (NIHL) and [[tinnitus]]. Noise exposure can cause excessive stimulation of the hearing mechanism, which damages the delicate structures of the inner ear.<ref>{{cite web|title=Noise-Induced Hearing Loss|url=https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss|website=NIDCD|date=18 August 2015}}</ref> NIHL can occur when an individual is exposed to sound levels above 90 dBA according to the [[Occupational Safety and Health Administration]] (OSHA). Regulations state that the permissible noise exposure levels for individuals is 90 dBA.<ref>{{cite web|title=Occupational Safety and Health Standards {{!}} Occupational Safety and Health Administration|url=https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owastand.display_standard_group?p_toc_level=1&p_part_number=1910|website=Osha.gov}}</ref> For the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health ([[NIOSH]]), exposure limits are set to 85 dBA. Exposures below 85 dBA are not considered to be hazardous. Time limits are placed on how long an individual can stay in an environment above 85 dBA before it causes hearing loss. OSHA places that limitation at 8 hours for 85 dBA. The exposure time becomes shorter as the dBA level increases.

Within the field of dentistry, a variety of cleaning tools are used including piezoelectric and sonic scalers, and ultrasonic scalers and cleaners.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Stevens|first1=M|title=Is someone listening to the din of occupational noise exposure in dentistry|journal=RDH|date=1999|issue=19|pages=34–85}}</ref> While a majority of the tools do not exceed 75 dBA,<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Merrel|first1=HB|title=Noise pollution and hearing loss in the dental office|journal=Dental Assisting Journal|date=1992|volume=61|issue=3|pages=6–9}}</ref> prolonged exposure over many years can lead to hearing loss or complaints of tinnitus.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Wilson|first1=J.D.|title=Effects of occupational ultrasonic noise exposure on hearing of dental hygienists: A pilot study|journal=Journal of Dental Hygiene|date=2002|volume=76|issue=4|pages=262–69|pmid=12592917}}</ref> Few dentists have reported using personal hearing protective devices,<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Leggat|first1=P.A.|title=Occupational Health Problems in Modern Dentistry: A Review|journal=Industrial Health|date=2007|volume=45|issue=5|pages=611–21|doi=10.2486/indhealth.45.611|pmid=18057804|url=https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/2690/1/2690_Leggat_et_al...2007.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427125357/https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/2690/1/2690_Leggat_et_al...2007.pdf |archive-date=2019-04-27 |url-status=live|doi-access=free|bibcode=2007IndHe..45..611L }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Leggat|first1=P.A.|title=Occupational hygiene practices of dentists in southern Thailand|journal=International Dental Journal|date=2001|volume=51|issue=51|pages=11–6|doi=10.1002/j.1875-595x.2001.tb00811.x|pmid=11326443|doi-access=free}}</ref> which could offset any potential hearing loss or tinnitus.