BUILDING HEAT RESILIENT DENTAL PRACTICES WITH OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH APPROACHES IN EXTREME TEMPERATURES

A significant part of the population worldwide is at high risk of diseases related to heat stress. The International Labour Organization estimates that by 2030, over 2% of working hours worldwide will be lost to heat, representing an economic loss of about $2.4 trillion annually. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of heat stress, in combination with mental and physical workload, on dental professionals and patients, to propose strategies for managing the associated elevated risks. Materials and methods. Data were drawn from existing occupational health and safety regulations, peer-reviewed publications, and the applied practices of LOT-CONSULT, an established provider of occupational health and safety services. Additionally, insights were obtained from the operational experience of Happy Smiles Dental Clinic, serving as a representative study from the dental care sector. Results. According to WHO studies, every year between 2000 and 2019, an estimated 489,000 people died as a result of heat waves. 45% of them are in Asia and 36% in Europe. In Europe, in the summer of 2022, deaths are estimated to be 61,672. The workload of dental practices in Bulgaria during the summer months can increase significantly due to the dental tourism that takes place in the country. Conclusions: The EU predicts a loss of around 0.5-1% of GDP due to reduced productivity and sick leaves related to heat stress, with southern Europe being more affected. It is necessary to adopt prevention measures when working in extremely hot temperatures for dental specialists and patients.