Evaluation of ergonomic risks during dental work

Abstract

SummaryAim: The purpose was to assess ergonomic risk level in dentistry, which may contribute to manifestation of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Methods and Materials: The study included ten dentists, postgraduate students, mean age (33 ± 3.4). Participants were asked to perform typical dental examination in standing and sitting positions. The surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded during dental work from both left and right shoulder muscles: descendent trapezius muscle (T); back muscles: erector spinae muscle (ES); and neck muscles: sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) and splenius capitis muscle (SC). Results: High muscles forces, greater than 21% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), which could be indicative of high risk, particularly occurred in muscles SC on both sides of the body in the sitting position. The medium risk level occurred in the same muscles on both sides in standing position. Left and right T muscles were under medium ergonomic risk level in both, sitting and standing working positions. SCM muscles on the left and right side of the body in both working positions were under low risk level, lower than 10% of the MVC. In sitting position, medium risk level occurred in ES muscles on both body sides, while in standing position the risk was low. Conclusion: Dentists are exposed to ergonomic risk. By combining both sitting and standing position the risk can be reduced.

Using Electromyography to Assess Postural Load in Dentistry: A Literature Review

“…In the studies found, it was observed that the dorsal trunk region was the most evaluated, with the trapezius muscle, both in its ascending and descending portion, being the most studied muscle [10,11,12,15,18,19,24,27,28,30,35]. Akesson et al, [18] used surface EMG for evaluation of the demands experienced by dental hygienist during their working routine, recording the descending part of the upper trapezius muscle bilaterally.…”

“…The erector spinae was also studied by Pejčić et al, [27] that evaluated the back inclination and muscle activities of the m. erector spinae, m. trapezius descendens, m. sternocleidomastoideus and m. splenius capitis of dentists during a typical dental examination of patients in standing and sitting positions. Likewise, the m. erector spinae, m. trapezius descendens, m. sternocleidomastoideus and m. splenius capitis during sitting and standing position was evaluated in another study to assess ergonomic risk level in dentistry by performing typical dental examination on the patients in standing and sitting positions [28].…”

“…One region that apparently was not much explored was the abdominal (part of the frontal trunk) and lower body region. Although some studies have evaluated muscle activity related to sitting work [10,19,27,28,29], few considered this region [5,20,32,33]. De Bruyne et al, [5], evaluated the effect of 3 different types of dental stools on the muscular activity (EMG) of the m. latissimus dorsi, m. iliocostalis lumborum thoracic part, m. multifidus, m. gluteus maximus, m. rectus femoris, m. internal abdominal oblique and m. external abdominal oblique.…”

“…Although manual scaling has been considered a highdeveloping musculoskeletal disorders in the upper limbs and neck, it only represents one of the many tasks performed in dental routine [18,30]. Petrović et al, [28] recommends that analyzes involving other activities be carried out with the intention of determining which specialty requires greater muscle activity, as well as the difference in contraction patterns between professionals of different ages. It is also recommended that analyzes be conducted during the actual clinical work routine, which would involve performing various dental activities for longer periods of time over an entire workday [16,19].…”

Analysis and prevention of ergonomic risk factors among dental students

“…Many factors in dental profession, such as specific working environment, fine, controlled dental work, full commitment to the patient, cause that dentists often neglect themselves and do not pay attention to adequate working posture. Dentists often work in inappropriate working position, which is one of the main risk factors for development of MSD 9‐11 …”