ABSTRACT:
Abstract Occupational health hazards are risks arising from employment due to the type of work or working conditions. In dentistry, these hazards can be categorised as biological, biomechanical, chemical, physical, and psychological.1,2 This study aimed to explore the occupational health and safety hazards experienced by dental professionals and assess their potential impact on employee performance in dental clinics in the uGu District, KwaZulu-Natal. In recent years, dental professionals have faced increased occupational risks, including needle-stick injuries, higher exposure to stressful work conditions following the COVID-19 pandemic, financial strain contributing to stress and anxiety, and limited access to counselling or wellness programmes.3-5 A positivist research philosophy guided the study.6 Primary data were collected using self-administered questionnaires distributed to 40 dental professionals in public and private dental clinics.7 Stratified sampling was applied based on clinic location, followed by simple random sampling to select participants.8 Data were cleaned and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings revealed that dental professionals were exposed to all five categories of occupational hazards. Over 70% reported musculoskeletal disorders, including lower back pain, wrist pain, and other work-related discomforts.9 Despite the high prevalence of these hazards, their reported impact on employee performance was minimal. The study concludes that maintaining high standards of occupational health and safety is essential, as a safe work environment supports employee well-being, productivity, and organisational performance.10,11 Employees who feel safe and supported are more likely to remain committed to their work, advocate positively for their organisation, and deliver high-quality patient care. Recommendations were made to improve occupational health and safety practices, and areas for further research were identified.