As World Day for Safety and Health at Work (April 28) approaches, the dental industry marks significant strides in workplace safety and in the reduction of occupational hazards.
Work at dental practices is trending toward increased safety, and companies like Dentsply Sirona are proud to be playing a role in this shift toward safer work environments.
Longitudinal data from the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reveals a promising trend of decreasing reported incidents in dental practices1. While thereduction in safety incidents is largely due to enhanced infection control protocols introduced post-COVID-19 and increased risk awareness2, the ongoing digital transformation of workflows and processes appear to also be contributing factors.
On World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the International Labour Organization (ILO) is set to release a comprehensive report analyzing how digital transformation can further enhance workplace safety and health. The report will highlight responses from governments, employers, workers, and other stakeholders in mitigating potential safety and health risks3.
The Role of Innovative Digital Solutions
Clinicians often suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome and back pain due to prolonged awkward positions and repetitive movements. While AI-enhanced workflows and automated processes have made tasks faster and more efficient4, a high degree of physical work remains a central part of a dentist’s job. Digitally connected treatment centers that adapt to dentists’ requirements and that integrate various solutions including a user-interface unit can reduce strain and improve ergonomics5.
Dentsply Sirona has a vision to transform dentistry to improve oral health globally, and a history of over a century of innovation and service to the industry and patients worldwide. The dental manufacturer remains committed to always searching for new ways to develop customer centric innovative solutions that solve unmet needs for its customers—with a primary focus on advancing digital solutions that continue to bring new capabilities to its customers, empowering them to deliver efficient patient care.
“Digital advancements have given rise to a new generation of products including latest generation x-ray systems such as Dentsply Sirona’s Heliodent Plus generator with intraoral sensors, which reduce radiation exposure when compared to the use of phosphor plates”, said Nadia Amor, head of imaging solutions at Dentsply Sirona, in a press release today.
“We pride ourselves on being at the forefront of digital transformation. Our commitment to enhancing patient care, streamlining workflows, and improving safety for dental professionals worldwide is strengthened by the highlighted impact of digital transformation in driving a safer and healthier environment in dental practices”, added Rainer Seemann, vice president and chief clinical officer, at Dentsply Sirona.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), additional factors that have contributed to improving the safety and well-being of dental professionals are the adoption of advanced Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the incorporation of stricter hygiene practices6. It is therefore important that dental professionals focus on these measures to further reduce the likelihood of exposure to bloodborne pathogens as well as chemical exposure.
Safety a Priority at Dentsply Sirona
At Dentsply Sirona, the commitment to safety starts with the company’s own employees. In 2024, the world’s largest diversified manufacturer of dental products and technologies, ranked within the top 3% of OSHA reporting companies7 when it comes to employees’ safety, based on the company’s Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR). This ranking followed a positive downward trend in its global TRIR which dropped to 27 incidents in total in 2024 across more than 40 countries and 25 manufacturing sites.
References
1 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) Summary Tables. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved April 22, 2025, from www.bls.gov/iif/nonfatal-injuries-and-illnesses-tables/soii-summary-historical.htm
2 A Five Year Retrospective Analysis of Adverse Events in Dentistry, BMC Oral Health, 2024
3 International Labour Organization. (2025). World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025, from https://www.ilo.org/meetings-and-events/world-day-safety-and-health-work-2025
4 Data on file.
5 Data on file.
6 Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Best practices for personal protective equipment. Retrieved April 22, 2025
7 Based on comparison the company’s overall Global TRIR of 0.17 to the list of US OSHA Form 300A summary information 2023
8 Data on file.
9 Data on file.
