Dentists are also likely to earn an above-average income, which can be worth protecting if you're the breadwinner of the household.
Dentistry is a medical profession that is considered by the healthcare practitioners as being potentially hazardous due to a number of significant health risks. Dentists are not only at risk for a blood borne viral infection, but they are also exposed to certain conditions on a daily basis, which include:
| Risk | Details |
|---|---|
| Infections | Dentists are at high risk of infection of a life-threatening blood borne disease, such as HIV or viral Hepatitis, which are often transmitted through sharp instruments (such as needles), spatter and aerosol. However, bacterial infections are also considered to be a major concern, particularly in dealing with the likes of tuberculosis and syphilis. |
| Percutaneous exposure incidents | Percutaneous involves any medical surgeries that require the practitioner to access the inner organs or other tissues using a sharp instrument (such as needle) to puncture the skin, rather than an “open” method where the organs or tissues are exposed with the use of a scalpel. Dentists regularly have to perform exposure prone procedures on daily basis and work predominantly on the mouth, increasing the risks of being exposed to infectious diseases. |
| Radiation | There are two types of radiation that affect dental workers on a day-to-day basis - ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation occurs through using X-ray machines at the dentist’s practice room. On the other hand, non-ionizing radiation may occur through lasers practice in dental procedures, use of composites and other resins, which becoming a concern due to the potential hazard to the eyes and other tissues. |
| Dental materials (chemicals) | Dentists often require the use of anaesthetics on patients and exposures of nitrous oxide gases on a regular basis for an extended period of time can be hazardous to health. In addition, exposure to toxic chemicals, such mercury (through amalgam fillings), pose a significant threat to dental workers as inhalation of mercury vapour in high doses can lead to biological and neurological problems. |
| Noise | Certain sounds of dental equipments may lead to noise-induced hearing loss and the first complication that often encourages dentists to seek a hearing evaluation is the presence of tinnitus - a condition in which the ear is persistently “ringing,” and not caused by the outside sounds. These sound inducing hearing loss may be caused by high-speed and low-speed turbine handpieces, high-velocity suction, ultrasonic instruments and cleaners, vibrators and other mixing devices, and model trimmers. |
| Musculoskeletal disorders | Musculoskeletal injuries affect dentists significantly more compared to other healthcare workers. A dentist’s posture is constrained when they are performing a procedure, in which they may be standing up or sitting down, close to the patient who is in a sitting or lying down position. This repetitive posture is often the main cause of stress injury on a musculoskeletal system. |
| Psychological problems | Work-related psychological disorders are prevalent in the dental field, with stress, tension, depression, emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation as the common contributing factors. |
| Dermatitis | Using gloves and other protective equipments are imperative for dental professionals, particularly in the effort of reducing the transmission of blood borne pathogens. However, it has been reported that dentists often have allergic reactions to gloves containing latex, which may result in skin irritation. Other dental materials, such as detergents, lubricating oils, solvents, and X-ray processing chemicals could also lead to skin allergies. |
Income protection does not only provide you with a replacement income of up to 75% of your regular wage in the event of a serious illness or injury, but also covers you against the associated risks of your occupation as a dental practitioner. There are some features and benefits that are designed specifically to meet the needs of dentists. These include;
As a dentist, you may be required to perform oral surgical procedures. These procedures are often prone to exposures, in which a direct contact between the skin (usually the finger or thumb of the dentist) and sharp surgical instruments or body parts within the oral region is potentially established.
In the event that you contract HIV, Hepatitis B or C even, you may requested by your professional governing board (such as the Dental Board of Australia) to cease performing any exposure prone procedures. Depending on the severity of the infection, you may have to stop working completely, even if you still have the ability to work.
With needle-stick cover, you will eligible for a lump sum benefit in the event that are unable to work or suffer from a reduction in income as a result of contracting HIV, Hepatitis B or C.
It has been noted in studies that due to the high level of stress, those who are in the medical profession are 20% more likely to stop working due to mental illness. Dental practitioners in particular may be prone to different sources of professional stress, such as professional burnout, anxiety disorders and depression.
With an income protection policy in place, you will have access to a form of financial relief, especially if you are required to take time off work due to a debilitating mental illness.
In addition to important features such as needlestick and mental illness cover, income protection insurance also provides other important features and options that you can tailor according to your needs. It is essential to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for more information, as policy features may vary between providers.
Some of the features and benefits that you may to consider include (but not limited to):
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