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Ergonomics in Dentistry
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Ergonomics in Dentistry

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Oral Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 14545

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Daniela Ohlendorf

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Interests: ergonomics; dentistry; biomechanical analyses; occupational medicine; posture analysis; ergonomic risk assessement
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Working in dentistry is often associated with unergonomic working methods. This not only refers to the working environment of the patient's mouth but also to laboratory work when, among other things, a prosthesis or a removable splint must be produced by hand, intricate work which requires fine motor skills.

Nevertheless, the main working environment is the patient's mouth and a consequence of the unergonomic workspace in which treatment procedures are carried out is the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in practitioners. The trunk, neck, shoulders and wrists are the most commonly affected areas, with injuries often resulting in sick leave or even premature retirement.

Besides MSDs, work-related factors, such as working with a microscope, noise influence, light influences (blinding) or fine dust, can also arise in the working environment and lead to health disorders. However, many work-related factors and strains that cause health problems among dental practitioners have still not been investigated.

The aim of this Special Issue is to bring together analyses of risk factors and physical, psychological and environmental strains affecting dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists and dental technicians.

This Special Issue seeks to create a platform for researchers and university groups to share their experiences and original, clinical and review studies in this field.

Dr. Daniela Ohlendorf
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • dental ergonomics
  • ergonomic risk assessment
  • posture analyses
  • musculoskeletal disorders
  • environmental health hazards
  • dental-related strain
  • working procedures

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 896 KiB  
Article
The Prevalence and Development of Neck and Lower Back Pain and Associated Factors in Dentistry Students—A Long-Term Prospective Study
by Lenka Hodačová, Nela Pilbauerová, Eva Čermáková, Stanislav Machač, Jan Schmidt, Jan Hodač and Martin Kapitán
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8539; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148539 - 13 Jul 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2118
Abstract
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent a significant occupational burden for dentists and dentistry students. This study aimed to assess the five-year development of most common musculoskeletal complaints among dentistry students during the whole length of their studies and to analyze the impact of some [...] Read more.
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent a significant occupational burden for dentists and dentistry students. This study aimed to assess the five-year development of most common musculoskeletal complaints among dentistry students during the whole length of their studies and to analyze the impact of some potentially associated risk factors. A longitudinal questionnaire survey regarding the occurrence of MSDs was conducted among a total of 73 dentistry students between 2014 and 2021. The same students enrolled in three consecutive years were monitored throughout their entire studies. Statistical analysis was performed using methods of descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, McNemar test, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The most frequent areas of complaints were neck (61.6%) and lower back (49.3%). The increase in self-reported complaints between the first and the fifth year was statistically significant for neck pain (increase by 15%, p = 0.043) but not for lower back pain (by 6.8%, p = 0.44). According to our data, age, performing top-level sport, and participating in regular sporting activities had a statistically significant influence on neck and/or back pain. The results of this longitudinal prospective study showed that neck, as well as lower back pain, are significant problems for dentistry students. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ergonomics in Dentistry)
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20 pages, 4570 KiB  
Article
Effectiveness of Ergonomic Training to Decrease Awkward Postures during Dental Scaling Procedures: A Randomized Clinical Trial
by Ana Virginia de Santana Sampaio Castilho, Edgard Michel Crosato, Silvia Helena de Carvalho Sales-Peres, Gerson Aparecido Foratori Junior, Adriana Rodrigues de Freitas Aznar, Rogerio Leone Buchaim, Daniela Vieira Buchaim, Dayane Maria Braz Nogueira, Eliana de Souza Bastos Mazuqueli Pereira, Luis Carlos Paschoarelli and Eliel Soares Orenha
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11217; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111217 - 26 Oct 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3081
Abstract
Studies demonstrate that there is a lack of effective ergonomic principles for adopting a neutral posture during the execution of dental procedures. ISO 11.226:2000 Standard, Corr. 1:2006 has been thoroughly evaluated and adapted to the way that dentists work by the European Society [...] Read more.
Studies demonstrate that there is a lack of effective ergonomic principles for adopting a neutral posture during the execution of dental procedures. ISO 11.226:2000 Standard, Corr. 1:2006 has been thoroughly evaluated and adapted to the way that dentists work by the European Society of Dental Ergonomics (ESDE). However, after 15 years, no studies that showed strong evidence of effectiveness in reducing the prevalence of awkward posture in applying its parameters within the scope of dental practice were found. The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of applying the ergonomic parameters proposed by the European Society of Dental Ergonomics (ESDE) and ISO 11226 in reducing the prevalence of the main awkward postures adopted by female dental surgeons during the execution of dental scaling on a dental mannequin. A randomized clinical trial was carried out with sixty dental surgeons randomly assigned to two groups: the intervention group, who received instructions and theoretical and practical ergonomic training; and the control group, who received the same training only at the end of the study. For data analysis, Software IBM SPSS 27 and RStudio was used. Descriptive statistics were performed to verify the effectiveness of the intervention, and generalized linear models (specifically, generalized estimated equation models) were used. Poisson distribution was carried out with log link function and network analyses. Sixty female dental surgeons participated in the study. Twenty-two were distributed in the intervention group and thirty-eight in the control group. It was found that ergonomic training enabled a 63% reduction in the prevalence of awkward postures and that there was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) only in the intervention group. The analyses showed that the estimated marginal means of postures not recommended in the groups’ initial control, final control, initial intervention, and final intervention were 8.6, 8.2, 9.0, and 3.4, respectively. The relationship of networks analyses of the variables is shown with different profiles in the control and intervention groups, but the same pattern between the groups only vary in the strength and direction of the correlations. It was concluded that the ergonomic training based on the parameters of ISO 11226 and DIN EN 1005-4, and its adaptations to the dental practice provided by the European Society of Dental Ergonomics, as well as recent studies, contributed significantly to reducing the prevalence of awkward postures adopted by female dentists during the simulation of the basic periodontal procedures; however, it was not effective enough to improve the posture of the head and neck. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ergonomics in Dentistry)
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14 pages, 29168 KiB  
Article
Ergonomic Comparison of Four Dental Workplace Concepts Using Inertial Motion Capture for Dentists and Dental Assistants
by Daniela Ohlendorf, Laura Fraeulin, Jasmin Haenel, Werner Betz, Christina Erbe, Fabian Holzgreve, Eileen M. Wanke, Doerthe Brueggmann, Albert Nienhaus, Christian Maurer-Grubinger and David A. Groneberg
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(19), 10453; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910453 - 5 Oct 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3035
Abstract
When the inventory is arranged in a dental practice, a distinction can be made between four different dental workplace concepts (DWCs). Since the prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases in dental professionals is very high, preventive solution need to be investigated. As the conventionally used [...] Read more.
When the inventory is arranged in a dental practice, a distinction can be made between four different dental workplace concepts (DWCs). Since the prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases in dental professionals is very high, preventive solution need to be investigated. As the conventionally used DWCs have, to date, never been studied in terms of their ergonomics, this study aims to investigate the ergonomic risk when working at the four different DWCs. In total, 75 dentists (37 m/38 f) and 75 dental assistants (16 m/59 f) volunteered to take part in this study. Standardized cooperative working procedures were carried out in a laboratory setting and kinematic data were recorded using an inertial motion capture system. The data were applied to an automated version of the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Comparisons between the DWCs and between the dentists and dental assistants were calculated. In all four DWCs, both dentists and dental assistants spent 95–97% of their working time in the worst possible RULA score. In the trunk, DWCs 1 and 2 were slightly favorable for both dentists and dental assistants, while for the neck, DWC 4 showed a lower risk score for dentists. The ergonomic risk was extremely high in all four DWCs, while only slight advantages for distinct body parts were found. The working posture seemed to be determined by the task itself rather than by the different inventory arrangements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ergonomics in Dentistry)
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9 pages, 960 KiB  
Article
Ergonomic Consideration of Sight Shifts between the Microscopic and Macroscopic Environments in Microscopic Dentistry for Inexperienced Operators
by Maciej Goczewski
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(15), 7916; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157916 - 27 Jul 2021
Viewed by 1815
Abstract
Due to the rising popularity of Dental Operating Microscopes, the issue of their ergonomic use has become an important topic. To verify its impact on dental teams’ ergonomics, the aspect of working in two distinct environments was examined. The research was performed on [...] Read more.
Due to the rising popularity of Dental Operating Microscopes, the issue of their ergonomic use has become an important topic. To verify its impact on dental teams’ ergonomics, the aspect of working in two distinct environments was examined. The research was performed on a group of 82 dentists regarding the number and character of shifts from the microscopic environment to the macroscopic one. The results revealed the shifts constitute a significant part of an inexperienced DOM operator’s work. Because such shifts, when performed repeatedly and in short succession, may influence the operator’s vision and comfort, they should be considered ergonomically detrimental. Having indicated the problem, the article puts forth a solution in the form of an instrument transfer methodology. The proposed adjustment has the potential of improving the quality of work for DOM operators quickly and efficiently by significantly reducing the number of shifts between the environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ergonomics in Dentistry)
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14 pages, 946 KiB  
Article
The Development of Musculoskeletal Disorders during Undergraduate Dentistry Studies—A Long-Term Prospective Study
by Martin Kapitán, Lenka Hodačová, Eva Čermáková, Stanislav Machač, Jan Schmidt and Nela Pilbauerová
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(14), 7662; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147662 - 19 Jul 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2640
Abstract
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) frequently occur among dental practitioners and present a significant occupational burden with an early onset in the dentists’ career. This study aimed to analyze the five-year development of self-reported overall MSDs among the dentistry students during the course of their [...] Read more.
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) frequently occur among dental practitioners and present a significant occupational burden with an early onset in the dentists’ career. This study aimed to analyze the five-year development of self-reported overall MSDs among the dentistry students during the course of their studies and to assess the possible influence of the risk as well as protective factors. The questionnaire inquiry was performed among the first-year dentistry students, regarding the occurrence of MSDs and the presence of potential risk and protective factors. The same students were followed, and they filled in the same questionnaire in the middle and at the end of their studies. A total of 73 dentistry students and 28 general medicine students participated. The occurrence of the overall MSDs statistically significantly increased from 30.1% at the beginning of the first year to 45.2% at the end of the fifth year among the dentistry students. The top-level sport was statistically significantly associated with the higher occurrence of MSDs in the fifth year and with the development of new MSDs between the first and the fifth year. This longitudinal prospective evaluation showed a significant increase in the MSDs occurrence among the dentistry students during their studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ergonomics in Dentistry)
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