Dental students’ knowledge of ergonomic postural requirements and their application during clinical care

Abstract

The knowledge of ergonomics postural requirements and their clinical application among the dental students surveyed were not satisfactory. The reasons for the learning difficulties encountered by the students should be identified to improve the learning process. The didactic use of digital images in this study may help in this endeavour.

Musculoskeletal pain and ergonomic aspects of dentistry

“…This study has observed many incorrect postures, both of spine (47.76%) and neck (73.13%) projecting them a lot to the front, laterally or performing rotations; and legs (91.04%) being unable to maintain the angle between thigh and leg in an interval of 90 and 120 degrees; and association with musculoskeletal pain during and after procedures. Garbin et al 12 have observed that the reason for a poor posture may be associated to lack of knowledge about the right posture. Other studies associate working hours and excessive number of patients per period as influencing occupational pain 6,21,22,29 .…”

“…These complaints are primarily related to neck, shoulders and cervical and lumbar spine pain, similar to those found in most studies 1,21,22,26,28 , stressing that poor posture-related health problems are still afflicting professionals, in spite of technological advances. To consider professionals correctly positioned on the bench, they should sit symmetrically erect and most possible to the back, allowing the sternum bone to be slightly advanced and raised, abdominal muscles should be smoothly compressed and back should be supported by posterior hip bones 12,18 . Primary dentists' difficulty is the accurate visualization of the surgical field, forgetting the right posture, excessively bending the neck, very often followed by its rotation.…”

“…The posture of professionals and their working environment are in general organized according to standards proposed by the partnership between the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the Federation Dentaire Internacionale (FDI) which aims at optimizing dentists' work, promoting a restructuring to standardize dental office working routine by establishing ergonomic standards and guidelines 14 . ISO, in 1980, has divided the dental office in 12 virtual parts, as the hands of a clock, the center of which is patient's oral cavity 12 . Dental equipment is classified according to the disposition of its items, being classified as Type I, that is, the working unit is lateral to the professional; Type II, or posterior disposition; the side table is behind patient's head; Type III, with transthoracic positioning, which allows the dentist to work without assistants, preventing torsions to pick the tools to be used; and Type IV, or to the right side of the assistant.…”

“…Musculoskeletal disorders are prevented by means of ergonomically organized environments, adequate working postures and intervals between consultations. Dental ergonomics looks at organizing environments to provide professionals with higher productivity allied to QL 12,13 . The posture of professionals and their working environment are in general organized according to standards proposed by the partnership between the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the Federation Dentaire Internacionale (FDI) which aims at optimizing dentists' work, promoting a restructuring to standardize dental office working routine by establishing ergonomic standards and guidelines 14 .…”

Assistance For Dentists In Lithuania

“…It is known, that it is not so easy to apply ergonomic knowledge in clinical practice for dentists who are not used to work in ergonomic way. Ergonomics is a discipline which requires a profound and systematic approach, regular practical training and control [21][22][23]. Therefore the promotion of ergonomics in dentistry should be highly encouraged by universities, Lithuanian Association of Dental Ergonomics and all the organizers of postgraduate courses in Lithuania.…”