Effect of occupational exposure of dentists and healthcare personnel to electromagnetic fields on telomere length and DNA damage

Abstract As a result of technological advances, the number and variety of high-tech tools and devices used in routine dental practice have rapidly increased. There is a lack of research on the potential effects of these EMF-emitting devices. This study investigated the effects of occupational electromagnetic field exposure on telomere length and DNA damage in dentists and healthcare professionals.The study was conducted in two groups: control and exposure groups. The control group consisted of healthy volunteers (n = 7) not employed in dentistry, while the exposure groups consisted of 131 dentists and healthcare professionals working in the departments of oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, orthodontics, pedodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and restorative dentistry. Telomere length was assessed from serum samples, and DNA damage was assessed from lymphocytes. Power density (S) was measured in dental clinics. Electric and magnetic field values were calculated from the S value.When seven different clinics were compared, a significant increase in DNA damage and a significant decrease in telomere length were found (p < 0.05). The highest DNA damage and shortest telomeres were observed in the oral and maxillofacial surgery. Electromagnetic field values were also highest in the oral and maxillofacial surgery. Consequently, electromagnetic fields may pose a significant health risk to potentially exposed workers.