320 Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan 2016, Vol. 26 (4): 320-322 INTRODUCTION Occupational hazard can be defined as a risk to a person usually arising out of employment. 1 It can also refer to a work, material substance or situation that predisposes or itself causes accidents or disease at work place. 2 The practice of dentistry exposes dental professional to a variety of work related hazards like long-working hours, working in a sedentary state, with anxious patients, and exposure to aerosols generated by high speed rotary hand pieces. The most common injuries reportedly experience by the dental hygienist are eye infection, psychological stress, cervical/back pain, elbow joint pain, hearing problem and material allergy. 3 Strained posture at work leads to disease of the musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous system. Close contact with patient's saliva and blood exposes the dentist to occupational bio-hazards, mainly of the contagious nature. The noise of suction, saliva ejectors, turbines, engines, amalgamators and compressors cause impaired hearing. 4 A limited surgical area with artificial lighting results in eye-strain, conjunctivitis, blurred vision or short-sightedness. Many clinical situations may be a source of stress for dental practitioners. Dental materials and disinfectants cause allergies. The adverse effects of mercury and nitrous oxide are known but those of visible blue light are not so well known. 4 Although modern dentistry has been cited as the least hazardous of all the occupations, 5 many risks still challenge the status of this occupation. Studies have shown that dentists report more frequent and worse health problems than other high-risk medical professionals. 6 Occupational hazards, such as interactions with patients, physical strain and financial pressure, negatively relate to psychological wellbeing of a dental professionals. 7,8 Apart from this, dental environment is also associated with a significant risk of exposure to various micro-organisms. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of occupational hazards among selected dental surgeons of Karachi. METHODOLOGY A total of 130 dentists, involved in clinical practices at hospitals of Karachi, were included in this study. The study was conducted from February to March 2014. All benefits of the study were explained and informed consent was taken. The dentists’ names were kept confidential. A self-administered questionnaire was designed and distributed to 130 clinical dentists. It comprised of a form asking information about the socio- demographic profile of dentists, and questions on awareness of occupational hazards, safety measures practised and the experience of occupational hazards while in practice. The questionnaires were collected SURVEY REPORT Occupational Hazards Among Dental Surgeons In Karachi Nabeel Naeem Baig 1 and Sajid Atif Aleem 2 ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the frequency of different occupational hazards among dental surgeons in Karachi. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey. Place and Duration of Study: A multicenter study conducted at Ameen Diabetic and Dental Hospital, Dental OPD, Karachi Medical and Dental College, and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi, from February to March 2014. Methodology: Dentists, practicing in different areas of Karachi, were given a self-administered questionnaire. It comprised of a form containing information about the socio-demographic profile of dentists and questionnaires regarding occupational hazards experienced in practice. Results: A total of 130 dentists, involved in clinical practice, were randomly selected. There were 45 (35%) males and 85 (65%) females. The average age was 39 ±5.76 years. Out of 130 dentists, 93.8% (122/130) had occupational hazard during practice. Cervical back pain was observed in 81.96% dentists followed by knee / elbow joint pain in 53.27%, eye infection in 44.615%, impaired hearing in 40.98%, psychological stress in 41.80% and material allergy was 12.29%. Conclusion: Various spinal and joint pains, eye infections, impaired hearing, stress and material allergy represented occupational hazard to 93.8% of the surveyed dentists. Key Words: Occupational hazard. Cervical pain. Knee/elbow joint pain. Eye infection. Impaired hearing. Psychological stress. Material allergy. 1 Department of Research and Evaluation, College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP), Karachi. 2 Department of Research, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi. Correspondence: Dr. Nabeel Naeem Baig, Executive Officer Research, Department of Research and Evaluation, College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP), Karachi. E-mail: nnbaig179@gmail.com Received: December 08, 2014; Accepted: December 11, 2015.