Ergonomics of preclinical dental students and potential musculoskeletal disorders

Abstract

Introduction Dental ergonomics aim to improve the safety and efficiency of dentists, reducing possible occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Factors affecting dental ergonomics include gender, tooth position, and use of equipment such as magnifying loupes. Since work habits are acquired early during undergraduate dental training, it is essential to assess the ergonomics of students at the preclinical training level. Objectives The present study aimed to assess the ergonomics of preclinical dental students in different clinical settings and their correlation to potential MSDs. Methods Student posture was assessed during preclinical restorative training using the Dental Ergonomics Assessment rubrics visual scale. The variables tested were use of magnification, gender, and tooth position. Musculoskeletal (MS) pain was reported using a questionnaire. Results were analyzed statistically using Mann‐Whitney U test and Wilcoxon t‐test (P < 0.05). Spearman test was used to determine the correlation between posture and pain. Results Use of magnification and tooth position significantly affected student posture. Female students had worse posture in certain clinical situations. Reported MS pain positively correlated with poor posture. Conclusion The use of magnifying loupes could have a positive impact on the ergonomics of dental students during their preclinical training, possibly decreasing the risk of developing MSDs.

A RULA-Based Comparison of the Ergonomic Risk of Typical Working Procedures for Dentists and Dental Assistants of General Dentistry, Endodontology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Orthodontics

“…Furthermore, it is also known that one and the same treatment in different quadrants causes a different posture [ 54 ]. Therefore, it would also be interesting to consider this aspect more closely in further analyses with regard to ergonomic risk and, in this context, to analyze the behavioral but also the relationship-related aspects that could positively favor the risk.…”

Ergonomic Risk Assessment of Dental Students—RULA Applied to Objective Kinematic Data

“…The main risk factors for developing musculoskeletal conditions in dentistry are using vibrating instruments, the patient’s mouth being a small, difficult-to-see work area, the difficult positioning of the patients, the precise and repetitive movements in a confined space and the near-static posture adopted for long periods of time (longer than four seconds) [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Researchers [ 29 ] found that musculoskeletal pain reported by dental students positively correlated with poor posture. Studies [ 13 , 30 , 31 ] have demonstrated that the head and trunk adopt a static posture for 27.4% and 23.6% of the treatment time during dental work, respectively.…”

Effect of magnification factor by Galilean loupes on working posture of dental students in simulated clinical procedures: associations between direct and observational measurements

“…On the other hand, it can be assumed that the greater muscle activity in the upper arch is related to the greater need to visualize restorative procedure details and not to movement control, as it is a reversible procedure. Other study in the literature has reported worse working posture during cavity preparations performed on the lower dental arch ( Kamal et al, 2020 ). To our knowledge, however, no prior studies have considered the effect of tooth location on the operator’s muscle contraction.…”

“…In other studies, similar results have been reported. In a study that evaluated the effect of magnification on dental students’ working posture during the preclinical training phase, magnification was found to have a positive impact on posture and to reduce operators’ risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders ( Kamal et al, 2020 ). Other studies have observed better posture scores among students who used loupes to perform periodontal procedures when compared to students who worked with the naked eye ( Maillet et al, 2008 ; Branson et al, 2004 ).…”

“…In studies that have considered the angular deviation of the neck, magnification was found to enable improved neck angulation during the preclinical training phase and during clinical procedures such as periodontal probing and diagnostics ( Wajngarten & Garcia, 2019 ; Kamal et al, 2020 ; Branson et al, 2018 ). Although the magnification system has provided a reduction in the angular deviation of the neck, it still remains higher than what is considered neutral.…”