Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of occupational hazards and preventive measures among dentists and final-year students in two dentistry hospitals in Kabul, Afghanistan. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used in this research, which was distributed to 198 dental professionals, with Part A dealing with sociodemographic data, Part B focusing on awareness of occupational hazards, and Part C on preventive measures. Responses were analyzed to assess the level of awareness using a five-point scale. The data were also compared using Mann-Whitney U tests to examine the differences between male and female respondents and between final-year dental students and practicing dentists. RESULTS: The overall mean proportion of correct answers was 0.71 (71%), indicating moderately high awareness. Part B had a mean of 0.73 (high), and Part C had a mean of 0.69 (medium). High awareness was found in areas such as radiation safety (93.4%), infection control (97.5%) and ergonomics (85.9%). However, gaps were identified in knowledge of lead protective gowns (15.2%) and the inverse square law (8.1%). In Part C, high awareness was noted regarding safety guidelines for electrical devices (85.9%) and protective eyewear (93.4%), but low awareness was found regarding safety boxes for sharp instruments (19.7%) and the scoop technique (31.8%). Mann-Whitney U tests revealed significant differences between male and female respondents (p < 0.001), with females showing higher awareness, although the effect size was small (r = -0.247). No significant difference was observed between the final-year students and practicing dentists (p = 0.575). CONCLUSIONS: Although dental professionals exhibit a relatively high level of awareness regarding occupational hazards and preventive measures, specific knowledge gaps persist. Addressing these deficiencies through structured educational interventions and continuous professional training is essential to enhance the occupational safety and improve the overall well-being of dental practitioners.