[Noise levels of dental equipment used in a dental schoolNíveis de ruído gerados por procedimentos realizados em uma escola de odontologia].

INTRODUCTION

Dental professionals are exposed to different noise levels in their work environment during their clinical practice, mainly caused by dental instruments and rotary instruments used on a daily basis. Noise levels may vary according to the type of clinical specialty.

OBJECTIVE

To determine noise levels during dental procedures in dental school clinics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted by means of non- probability convenience sampling to determine dental specialties to be evaluated. BENETECH GM1352 30-130dB Digital Sound Level Meter with accuracy +/- 1.5 dB and A weighting was used for measurements. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were used to identify differences in noise levels among dental specialties.

RESULTS

Measured median noise level was 75.94 dB (RCI 74.21 -77.51), dental surgery was identified to have the highest noise among clinical specialties (median 77.34 and RCI 76.44 -79.4 dB).

CONCLUSIONS

Dental surgery, oral rehabilitation, endodontics and pediatric dentistry were found to be the clinical specialties where noise exposure is within the limits established by Colombian regulations for noise in the workplace.