%0 Journal Article %T Considerations between the oral diseases that affect the workers and their legal and ethical implications %A Eduardo de Novaes BENEDICTO %A Sissiane MARGREITER %A Tiago Monteiro BRANDO %A Eduardo DARUGE J¨˛NIOR %J Perspectives in Oral Sciences %D 2010 %I %X In 1802, England was responsible for the first law to protect the injured worker in the exercise of its function. In Brazil the legal protection for workers started only in 1919 and since then has been developing over the years. Aiming at the workersĄŻ protection, health promotion in companies is a growing aspect in the recent years. One example of these actions is dental care, which aims at the welfare of the worker, who can produce more and with better quality if he is happier and healthier. This literature review aims to address the importance of the Labor Dentistry in companies with focus on the main diseases that may affect workers, as well as the preventive measures to reduce or avoid its occurrence, besides discussing the legal aspects involved. Oral manifestations such as tooth abrasion, tooth decay and gingival inflammation were the most common problems between the workers. Besides, preventive measures such as the use of individual protective equipment (IPE) and also the presentation of lectures to raise awareness for workers by a qualified professional can reduce such oral manifestations. Dentists have the legaland ethical obligation to propose programs for the control and prevention of oral diseases at the work environment. %K oral health %K dental ethics %K environment %K public health %U http://poralsciences.up.edu.br/arquivos/poralsciences/File/Revista_POS_ed4_Art08.pdf