Constrained posture in dentistry – a kinematic analysis of dentists

Abstract

BackgroundHow a dentist works, such as the patterns of movements performed daily, is also largely affected by the workstation Dental tasks are often executed in awkward body positions, thereby causing a very high degree of strain on the corresponding muscles. The objective of this study is to detect those dental tasks, during which awkward postures occur most frequently. The isolated analysis of static postures will examine the duration for which these postures are maintained during the corresponding dental, respectively non-dental, activities.Methods: 21 (11f/10 m) dentists (age: 40.1 ± 10.4 years) participated in this study. An average dental workday was collected for every subject. To collect kinematic data of all activities, the CUELA system was used. Parallel to the kinematic examination, a detailed computer-based task analysis was conducted. Afterwards, both data sets were synchronized based on the chronological order of the postures assumed in the trunk and the head region. All tasks performed were assigned to the categories “treatment” (I), “office” (II) and “other activities” (III). The angle values of each body region (evaluation parameter) were examined and assessed corresponding to ergonomic standards. Moreover, this study placed a particular focus on static positions, which are held statically for 4 s and longer.ResultsFor “treatment” (I), the entire head and trunk area is anteriorly tilted while the back is twisted to the right, in (II) and (III) the back is anteriorly tilted and twisted to the right (non-neutral position). Static positions in (I) last for 4–10s, static postures (approx. 60%) can be observed while in (II) and (III) in the back area static positions for more than 30 s are most common. Moreover, in (II) the back is twisted to the right for more than 60 s in 26.8%.ConclusionAwkward positions are a major part of a dentists’ work. This mainly pertains to static positions of the trunk and head in contrast to “office work.” These insights facilitate the quantitative description of the dentist profession with regard to the related physical load along with the health hazards to the musculoskeletal system. Moreover, the results allow for a selective extraction of the most unfavorable static body positions that dentists assume for each of the activities performed.

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Symptoms among Czech Dental Students. Part 1: a Questionnaire Survey

“…In the dental profession there are many risk factors which combine and can contribute to initiation and development of MSDs. These risk factors include mainly a longterm static position, forced unnatural posture during work, doing tasks with small instruments using a large force, small working field with limited access, intensive lighting, noise and psychosocial stress (5,12,13,(17)(18)(19). Another factor which is considered negative is a lack of adequate physical activities (20).…”

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Dental Students in United Arab Emirates

“…The musculoskeletal health of dental professionals has been the subject of numerous studies world-wide, and their focus has been on the pain experienced by the practitioner. 1 A recent review conducted by Moodley and co-workers 2 demonstrated that most common sites for musculoskeletal pain were the neck, lower-back and shoulders. The prevalence of dentists' discomfort in the neck, shoulder, and lower-back as suggested in many studies conducted around the world ranged from 64 to 93%.…”

“…The nature of dental work with repetitive movement, long-term work and awkward static postures, all add up to suffering a musculoskeletal problems among dentists. 1 The costs of these problems are substantial, both in terms of money and in terms of work time lost; 4 it may result in lower work productivity and adversely effect on the quality of work, e ciency, leading to shorten working lifespan, it might lead to occupational disability which constitute a major health challenge for individual and healthcare system around the world. 5,6 A study conducted by Oberg 7 found that the loss of income for dentistry profession due to musculoskeletal pain to be greater than $40 million.…”

Prevalence of postural musculoskeletal symptoms among dental students in United Arab Emirates. 

“…The musculoskeletal health of dental professionals has been the subject of numerous studies world-wide, and their focus has been on the pain experienced by the practitioner. 1 A recent review conducted by Moodley and co-workers 2 demonstrated that the most common sites for musculoskeletal pain are the neck, lower-back and shoulders. The prevalence of dentists' discomfort in the neck, shoulders, and lowerback as suggested in many studies conducted around the world ranged from 64 to 93%.…”