THE IMPLICATIONS OF ERGONOMY IN CLASSICAL AND MODERN APPROACHES IN ENDODONTIC THERAPY

Abstract

Professional activity of a dental practitioner is widely recognized not only for the excessive biomechanical stress of the spine and the peripheral joints, but also for the high percentage of axial and peripheral musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors and their consequences on the cervical spine in a cohort of dental practitioners who are currently involved in endodontic therapy. We included 30 dentists who worked daily in private offices in Iasi and in the Iasi county area. They were classified as belong to group A or B based on specific ergonomic criteria. We performed a complex analysis of all the participants in the current study based on a standard questionnaire aiming to identify if specific ergonomic measures may positively influence the musculoskeletal morbidity in dental practitioners. the endodontic field of the professional activity also generates different pathological conditions at this level. As a consequence, chronic pain, paresthesias, decreased muscle strength developed on a background of X-ray modifications including the malalignment of the cervical spine and degenerative disco-vertebral processes are commonly reported among dental practitioners, especially in those performing their daily activities in a non-ergonomic environment.

Keywords

• dentist posture
• ergonomics
• musculoskeletal disorders