Working Conditions and Dentists’ Attitude Towards Proprioceptive Derivation

Abstract

Proprioceptive derivation (Pd), a new method of organising a dentist workstation as well as a working procedure, was introduced to Thailand. The aim of this study was to assess the working conditions and the attitude to Pd among experienced users. Questionnaires were distributed among 12 dentists. The results showed that all dentists chose to work in a sitting posture and mostly worked without breaks between patients. They spent less time on dental examination and crown and bridge therapy tasks. Solving problems in patients with physical limitations resulted in a low stress level. Seven dentists (58.3%) always used Pd and liked it. Five dentists (41.7%) sometimes used Pd, with 3 of them liking it. Only 2 dentists, who sometimes used Pd, did not like it because it could not cover all dental tasks and treatment, and it was difficult and complex.

Differences in Dentists’ Working Postures When Adopting Proprioceptive Derivation vs. Conventional Concept

“…Firstly, most dentists in the Pd group adopted an upright sitting posture with a straight low and upper back, the neck bent, the seat straight, which is similar to the suggested ideal posture. Further, they worked within the range of the suggested clockrelated positions [22]. Moreover, one dentist in the Pd group had an extremely high RULA score compared to others within the group.…”

“…Dentists working with the conventional concept most of the time adopted postures 1 and 3: the whole back bent, the seat tilted forward. Obviously, Pd provided horizontal seats for the dentists based on its philosophy and the ideal working posture as shown in Figure 1 [21,22]. On the other hand, dentists working with conventional concept had the possibility to tilt their seats.…”

“…The concept of changes in dental practice by using technology in dentistry started many years ago. Considering that the new technologies and changes aim to give the dentist greater comfort and better health, many new technologies have been presented to the dentistry after sit-down dentistry, including four-handed dentistry [20] and the proprioceptive derivation (Pd) concept [21,22].…”

“…The Pd concept was developed by Dr. Daryl R. Beach. At first, this concept was called performance logic [22,23,24]. A primary aim of the Pd concept is to provide dentists with a good posture and optimal control of dental tasks while minimizing musculoskeletal discomfort.…”

“…In addition, the Pd concept fundamentally includes a system of reasoning that guides dentists in determining their most comfortable working posture and position, and increases their awareness of the work environment and preferred working position. This concept provides dentists with a number of strategies, such as five movements and the 10-step protocol, which help them to maintain their ideal posture with optimal control while working [21,22,27,28].…”