(PR066) Assessing Noise Levels of Endodontic Dental Equipment During Microscope-Assisted Procedures: Implications for Occupational Health and Safety of Dental Professionals

Objective: Dental clinicians are routinely exposed to noise from various endodontic devices, which may contribute to hearing impairment over time. This study seeks to quantify and compare noise levels generated by endodontic instruments and assess whether these levels exceed the exposure limits established by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Methods: Noise levels were measured for an air-driven high-speed handpiece, a piezoelectric ultrasonic handpiece under load, the Rispisonic® irrigation activation device, and the GentleWave console. Measurements were conducted with and without high-volume suction (HVS) in a clinical setting. Sound pressure levels (dB) were recorded continuously over 30-second intervals, with each measurement repeated three times. The sound level meter was positioned 12 cm from the operator’s ear, capturing readings on both the left and right sides. Mean noise levels were analyzed via ANOVA, with Tukey pairwise comparisons across devices.

Results: Average noise levels ranged from 60.7 to 82.2 dB. Pairwise comparisons indicated statistically significant differences between most devices, except for GentleWave and Rispisonic (P = 0.061). The presence of HVS significantly impacted noise levels for all devices. Peak noise levels demonstrated notable differences between the Rispisonic and both the air-driven high-speed handpiece (P = 0.002) and ultrasonic handpiece (P = 0.002), including when HVS was used.

Conclusion: Noise levels recorded in this study remained within NIOSH-recommended exposure limits for occupational safety.