Abstract
Background: Workplace health and safety in New Zealand is regulated under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. However, little is known about how those regulations are applied within the dental workplace. This study aimed to investigate the health and safety behaviours of NZ oral health practitioners.
Methods: An electronic questionnaire was distributed from June to July 2024 (Otago Human Ethics Committee approval 24/0135). A random sample of currently practising oral health professionals (n=791 valid) and students from the University of Otago oral health professional programmes were invited to participate.
Results: Responses were received from 236 practitioners (29.8% participation) and 123 students (21.2%). Awareness of health and safety legislation among practitioners was relatively low, with only 41.2% having read two or more health and safety policies, and 35.3% being familiar with the Hierarchy of Controls model. However, uptake among those familiar with the model was high (88.4%). Recommendations to improve safety were mandatory continued professional development courses (54.4%) or increased training for undergraduate students (64.4%). More regulatory oversight was unpopular across all practitioner groups.
Conclusion: Significant gaps persist in occupational health and safety practices among NZ oral health professionals. Practitioners show moderate support for mandatory CPD and further undergraduate training. Ongoing research is required to monitor incident statistics and to develop and evaluate strategies to improve health and safety in the dental workplace.