Ergonomic Analysis of Dental Treatments Tasks: Discomfort Factor Identification and Impact on Body Regions
Abstract
Objectives: Dentistry profession involves in prolonged static muscle loads, highly repetitive and monotonous work, high force exertion or mechanical compression of tissues, and using vibrated tools. Therefore dentists are exposed to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs), which results in costly health problems and early retirements. This research aims to determine the risk factors of musculoskeletal discomforts among dentists, and to identify the impact of the dental tasks on the body regions during particular treatments.
Materials and Methods: A questionnaire is created and fulfilled by 67 dentists from universities, hospitals, and dental offices. Electromyography studies were applied on six body regions of randomly selected three dentists during most common dental treatments. Discriminant Analysis was applied to determine whether a set of variables is effective in predicting category membership, and to identify statistically significant factor(s) which contribute(s) formation of the WRMSDs. ANOVA was utilized to analyze the results which were obtained from sEMG experiment and to determine the risk factors of work related musculoskeletal disorders.
Results: The most common position of the dentists while performing their profession was static and prolonged sitting / standing position. Musculoskeletal discomforts were experienced during the past 12 months in neck, hand / wrist, upper back, and shoulder regions; and during the past 7 days in elbows, feet, hip, and wrist / hand regions.
Conclusions: There is no significant factor on dental filling therapy, tooth cleaning, fixed prosthodontics, and removable prosthodontics treatments. However, body region is the only significant factor on tooth extraction, endodontic and dental examination treatments.
Keywords
Kaynakça
- [Åkesson, I., Johnsson, B., Rylander, L., Moritz, U. Musculoskeletal disorders among female dental personnel - clinical examination and a 5-year follow-up study of symptoms. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 1999; 72: 395-403.
- Åkesson, I., Balogh, I., Hansson, G.A. Physical workload in neck, shoulders and wrists/hands in dental hygienists during a work-day. Applied Ergonomics. 2012; 43: 803-811.
- Alexandre, P.C.B., Silva, I.C.M., Souza, L.M.G., Câmara, V.M., Palácios, M., Meyer, A. Musculoskeletal Disorders among Brazilian Dentists. Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health. 2011; 66(4).
- Cherniack MG1, Dussetschleger J, Bjor B. Musculoskeletal disease and disability in dentists. Work. 2010. 35(4): 411-8.
- Dong, H., Loomer, P., Barr, A., LaRoche, C., Young, E., Rempel, D. The effect of tool handle shape on hand muscle load and pinch force in a simulated dental scaling task. Applied Ergonomics. 2006; 38: 525–531.
- Finsen, L., Christensen, H., Bakke, M. (1998). Musculoskeletal disorders among dentists and variation in dental work. Applied Ergonomics. 1998; 29(2): 11-12S.
- Hayes, M.J., Smith, D.R., Taylor, JA. Musculoskeletal disorders and symptom severity among Australian dental hygienists. BMC Research Notes 2013 6:250.
- Kar, G., Mullick, A.. Designing with Users: A case study for design of dental workspace. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 56th Annual Meeting. 2012.
- Khan, S.A., Yee, Chew, K. Effect of working characteristics and taught ergonomics on the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders amongst dental students. 2013; BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2013, 14:118.
- Kuorinka I, Jonsson B, Kilbom A, et al. . Standardized Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms, Applied Ergonomics. 1987, 18: 233-237.