Evaluation of Ergonomics and Efficacy of Instruments in Dentistry

Abstract

Abstract:Purpose: To evaluate the ergonomics and efficacy of five instruments used in dentistry for scaling and root planing.Methods: This experimental study with a comparative cross-sectional design was carried out during a simulated scaling and root planing task. Seven female dentists and one dental hygienist aged 26-58 years participated. Five instruments were evaluated in a subjective analysis of usability and musculoskeletal strain and with measurements of muscular activity, postures of the upper limbs, and work productivity. Results:The instruments with the thickest (diameter of 12-14 mm) silicon handles caused the lowest perceived strain in both the fingers/palm and the thumb. Work productivity was also the best with the thickest silicon handles. Between the instruments, no statistically significant differences were found for the muscular activity of the four muscle groups studied or for the postures of the wrist and upper arm. Conclusions:The design and material of dental instruments can affect perceived comfort and work productivity. In scaling and root planing tasks, instruments with thick silicon handles are more usable, cause lower perceived strain, and are more productive than those with thinner handles. The results of this study can be used to aid dental instruments development and selection.

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

“…The upper limb and hand regions have also been extensively studied in the literature [1,14,16,17,21,22,23,25,31].…”

“…For this, the activity of m. flexor digitorum superficialis, m. flexor pollicis longus, m. extensor digitorum communis and m. extensor carpi radialis brevis was recorded during the use of 10 different handles designs of periodontal instruments [16]. Another study also evaluated the ergonomics and efficiency of five differently designed handles of instruments during a simulated dental scaling and root planning, by recording the muscular activity (EMG) of the m. flexor pollicis brevis, m. extensor digitorum, m. flexor carpi radialis, and m. trapezius pars descendens [22]. The m. extensor digitorum, m. flexor pollicis brevis, and m. flexor digitorum superficialis were analyzed by surface EMG in a study that evaluated the effect of differences in dental mirrors handles on muscle activity during simulated dental hygiene procedures [17].…”

“…It was also possible to verify that most studies used a small sample size, a short of time to collect the EMG signal and analysis of muscle activity only of the dominant side of work [5,10,11,19,20,22,24,26,29,31,32,33,35]. According to Rolander et al, [ associated with the fact of electromyographic analyzes are very expensive and time consuming.…”

“…Although manual scaling -risk activity for developing musculoskeletal disorders in the upper limbs and neck, it only represents one of the many tasks performed in dental routine ] recommends that analyzes involving other activities be carried out with the intention of determining which specialty 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 It was also possible to verify that most studies used a small sample size, a short period of time to collect the EMG signal and analysis of muscle activity only of the dominant side of [5,10,11,19,20,22,24,26,29,31,32,33,35]. According to Rolander et al, [15] it might be associated with the fact of electromyographic analyzes are very expensive and timeconsuming.…”

Lean design improves both health-care facilities and processes: a literature review

“…Others emphasize good indoor environment qualities such as acoustics, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, the visual environment and furniture (Fransson, Västfjäll, and Skoog 2007;Frontczak and Wargocki 2011;Salonen et al 2013). In addition, several studies concern user-centred design of workstations and work tools in health care (Nevala and Ketola 2012;Nevala et al 2013;Sormunen and Nevala 2013). According to Ulrich, the work environment should be relaxing, rejuvenating, healing and able to reduce stress and fatigue, while enhancing employees' creativity (Ulrich 1991;Ulrich et al 2004).…”