Perception and Knowledge of Dental Ergonomics among Romanian Dental Students

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among leading factors for early retirement of dental practitioners while the application of ergonomic principles is often overlooked during dental education. The article aims to assess the need for dental ergonomics modules as an integrated part of the dental sch...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2022-12, Vol.19 (24), p.16988
Main Authors: Talpos-Niculescu, Ioana Cristina, Farkas, Andrei Zoltan, Lungeanu, Diana, Argeşanu, Veronica, Anghel, Mirella Dorina, Nagib, Riham
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Core curriculum
Dental materials
Dental schools
Dentistry
Dentists
Ergonomics
Humans
Likert scale
Multiple choice
Musculoskeletal diseases
Musculoskeletal Diseases - prevention & control
Occupational Diseases - prevention & control
Patient positioning
Perception
Pharmacy
Posture
Principles
Professional Role
Quality standards
Questionnaires
Retirement
Romania
Self evaluation
Students
Students, Dental
Time management
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Summary:Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among leading factors for early retirement of dental practitioners while the application of ergonomic principles is often overlooked during dental education. The article aims to assess the need for dental ergonomics modules as an integrated part of the dental school curriculum and to quantify the significance and role of ergonomics in reducing musculoskeletal stress generated while undergoing dental training. The study design consisted of a three-part original close-ended multiple-choice questionnaire carried out among 75 sixth year students from "Victor Babeş" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania. Questions focused on the basic knowledge of theoretical ergonomics, the ISO 11226 standard and means of improvement in undergraduate ergonomics training. Most students had an average level of knowledge regarding dental ergonomic principles. Data analysis showed that 62.16% agree that the information received in the second-year dental ergonomics course was helpful in regard to time organization. A high percentage (86%) also understood the correct positioning of the patient while performing dental procedures. Although implementation of ergonomic principles in the early dental training years has a high influence in the prevention of MSDs, students do not fully understand the impact this subject has on their future careers.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph192416988