Keynote Address: The Blue Light Hazard–How Worried Should We Be?

Abstract Body: OSHA regulations explicitly state that ‘employers must ensure that employee uses appropriate eye or face protection against potentially injurious light radiation.’ The "blue light hazard" has been a recognized potential issue for over 40 years, with much research conducted regarding possible phototoxicity from exposure to radiation in the range of 400 to 500 nanometers. This has caused concern regarding routine exposure to sources of blue light used in everyday devices such as televisions, cell phones, and other objects using solid-state illumination. But the low level of the light in many of these objects may ameliorate concerns. However, in dentistry, we are using powerful blue light-emitting LEDs to cure resin-based materials. This occupies a significant portion of the oral health care team’s day, and since we should be watching what we are doing, this creates a further level of concern.
This keynote will review the research surrounding the blue light hazard and make recommendations regarding the safe and proper use of dental curing lights to minimize the exposure of the dental team to potentially dangerous light radiation.