Chemical is not exclusive used in factories for industrial purpose only. There are also chemicals in dental office. Dental office deals with dental treatment. In this office, there are many dental equipment to treat teeth as well as chemicals needed for it.
However, not all chemicals in dental office are safe just like Examples of Hazardous Substances in Workplace. There are some hazardous chemicals in dental office as follows.
- Anaesthetic Gas
During dental operation, dentist often use anaesthetic to numb the pain of the patient. This is because dental system has a lot of nerves that will pick up the pain from dental procedure. On another note, aesthetic gas is very important as well as beneficial for patient.
However, it does not always work well for the remnant of anaesthetic gas if inhaled through nose. Anaesthetic is too strong and may cause irritation to the lung or give headache to the person who inhaled anaesthetic too much. This is why dental office should have proper circulation to let the gas out and better ventilation system.
- Biological Agents
Mouth is one of biggest germs and bacteria storage. Therefore, in dental office, dentist may have to deal with several unhygienic cases where bacteria, parasite or virus reside on patients’ mouths. If this is the case, those biological agents may transfer to people in the room.
If dentist or patient touch potentially hazardous part of mouth or body, the germs may move to other person in the room. Early symptoms may not be apparent just like in the case of Harmful Chemicals in Toothpaste , however, for people who have low immune system, they may experience fever, nausea, vomit and other health displeasure.
- Dental Amalgam
Another hazardous chemical in dental office is dental amalgam. Dental amalgam is component to rebuild the structure of teeth. Why does this chemical belongs to hazardous one? The reason is because it contains mercury. Wasted amalgam is very dangerous since it leaks mercury. Especially for pregnant woman amalgam may cause some health problems.
Heavy chemicals in amalgam will damage internal organ, heart failure and many more. Even though the effect will not be immediate to trigger health effects, mercury is among banned chemical in United States and therefore is not mean for public exposure.
- Botox
Some dental procedures require botox. Sometimes botox is applied for the corner of the mouth to those who start developing wrinkle. Even though this is something normally in beauty care rather than dental office, there are some who also provide this under the name of repairing smile.
However, botox is not completely healthy as it is still a foreign object for human body. Doctor and patient should still treat botox as hazardous chemical. They should not let it spill or being open in room temperature nor it should be inside body with free injection.
If skin is not compatible or allergic to botox, the people may develop allergy, skin rashes as well as fever and nausea. That is why doctor should be careful when applying botox to the patient.
- Hydroquinone
Another hazardous chemical in dental office is hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is a chemical that has bleaching effect. Sometimes teeth bleaching may use chemical that contains hydroquinone. However, hydroquinone is not completely safe. There are several dangers that it can expose. Hydroquinone is among Prohibited And Restricted Cosmetic Ingredients In UK.
If someone is allergic and show negative reaction, it may start with skin rashes, nausea and lead to even serious case can lead to internal organ damage as well as potential to be cause of cancerous cell. This chemical is also among prohibited cosmetic ingredients that people need to be aware of due to its hazard. If you are among those interested in teeth bleaching, always ask about the component to the doctor.
- Blood Borne Virus
Not only chemical dealing with the equipment, hazardous chemical can also come from human. Blood borne virus is a virus derivated from blood. A condition where the patient has blood problem either due to infection or other virus can spread to other human in a subtle but deadly way.
If the patient is having serious illness and one that can infect others, blood from dental operation can turn to be an enemy that can endanger the health of people around. Moreover, blood borne virus often is very resistant in the air, thus make it difficult to get rid. This is why doctor should follow sanitation rule by immediately remove and cleanse equipment contaminated or come in contact with the blood of patient.
- Copper
Some tools and equipment comes from metal work such as stainless steel. They are safe as long as doctor properly sanitize them to avoid infection and contamination. However, metal work that contains copper may still exist. Copper itself is one of mineral in list of chemicals in periodic table.
This compound possesses several dangers that leads to intoxication. People who get copper inside their body may develop cancerous cell in the future. Moreover, there will be disturbance of digestion system if it gets too much in the body.
Prevention of Hazardous Chemical Spread
Hazardous chemicals in dental office is preventable to spread on people inside the room with following procedure:
- Regular Sanitation
Regular sanitation by properly sanitize dental tools and equipment to avoid transfer of bacteria as well as to ensure cleanliness of them.
- Proper Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment is very important in health department to prevent contamination as well as infection from bacteria. Always wear gloves and googles if needed if doing surgery operation.
- Personal Hygiene
Personal hygiene is a must for people who work in dental office. Unhygienic body is the ideal place for bacteria to grow. Some bacteria can turn into hazardous chemical in certain situation. Wash hands before and after doing dental procedure using soap and correct way of washing hands.
- Keep Out Office from Hazardous Chemical
Never store hazardous chemical in the office for when chemicals leak or come in contact with tool, it can create danger to both patient and healthcare worker.
That is all about hazardous chemicals in dental office as well as prevention to avoid the danger of them.