Summary
Noise is considered one of the most common workplace health hazards and louder than average noise is produced from a
variety of sources in the typical dental office. Concerns have been expressed that these noise levels are at an
intensity, duration, and/or frequency that could result in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) or tinnitus (ringing or
buzzing in the ears). Additionally, there are gaps in our understanding of the impact of long-term exposure to the
moderate but persistent noise experienced in the dental work environment on members of the dental team and their
individual well-being. This webinar evaluates noise levels in the dental setting and the impact they have on the
hearing and well-being of dental hygienists and dental assistants.
Presenter
Laura Dempster, RDH, BScD(DH), MSc, PhD
Laura Dempster is an educator, researcher and associate professor at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of
Toronto, and the inaugural holder of the Kamienski Professorship in Dental Education Research. She received
her PhD from the Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto; MSc from the Department of Clinical
Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University; and BSc in Dentistry (Dental Hygiene) and Dental
Hygiene education at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto.
Learning Outcomes
After the webinar, participants will be able to:
- Identify terminology used to describe common audiology terms related to hearing
- Recognize sources of noise that could be detrimental to their hearing
- Relate the potential impact of noise in the dental office to hearing and well-being