Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to investigate the general characteristics of dental technicians and their health behaviors and to analyze the related factors of their work stress and physical symptoms. Methods: The survey used structured self administered questionnaires for a survey targeting 741 members registered of the Dental Technician Association in Daegu Metropolitan City from September to October, 2009. Total of 518 replies and analyzed 490 questionnaire excluding 28 incomplete questionnaires. Results: The work stresses were higher in those who answered that they were under 30-years old, unmarried, lower in rank, or had longer work hours, lower monthly incomes or poor self-perceived health status. In addition, those who worked in a dental laboratory with poor work environment including insufficient ventilation, sand blaster with no powder collecting functions, etc., tended to experience higher work stress than others due to their work conditions. The total average of the respondents of the survey who answered that they suffered from some physical symptoms was 14.7 points. It was found that the factors affecting the score of physical symptoms include occupational features such as work hours, monthly income, etc., and physical work environment such as the presence or absence of ventilator, of dust-collectors within sand blaster, etc., and work stress, exerted significant influence. Conclusion: The outcomes of this study indicates that to lessen work stress and to ultimately alleviate physical symptoms, it is necessary to do the following: improve work environment of young unmarried women; adjust their daily working hours; ameliorate physical work environment. To improve overall physical symptoms, it is importance to establish a safe and healthy working environment.
