title: Sound levels in conservative dentistry and endodontics clinic.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the sound levels generated in dental clinics of conservative dentistry and endodontics.
  
  
  METHODS
  A decibel-meter with digital readout was used to measure sound levels at different time intervals at the chairside and at the center of the clinic. Minimum and maximum readings during a 3 min interval were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the post-graduate (PG) clinic, there was significant difference in noise levels between the chairside (66-81 dB[A]) and the center of the clinic (66-67 dB[A]) at certain times. In the under graduate (UG) clinic, noise levels with suction and either high/slow speed handpieces (67-80 dB[A]) were significantly higher than the center of clinic. Suction alone in the UG clinic (63-75 dB[A]) was significantly quieter than in the PG clinic (69-79 dB[A]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  (1) Mean sound levels in the working clinics ranged from 63.0 dB[A] to 81.5 dB[A]. These are within the recommended range for dental equipment. (2) With suction and either low/high speed handpiece combination, the PG clinic was significantly noisier than the UG clinic at several time periods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Glasgow Dental Hospital, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Arindam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dutta
authors.forename: Kundabala
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mala
authors.forename: Shashi Rashmi
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Acharya
keywords: Air-rotor handpiece; micro-motor handpiece; sound levels; suction