Ergonomic aspects of dental practice

Ergonomic aspects of dental practice Ergonomics as a multidisciplinary science dealing with the relationship between the human and the working environment to ensure the health and achieve optimum performance in the process. Knowledge of and adherence to the principles of ergonomics is an effective preventive measures of musculoskeletal diseases that threaten the dentists at work. The aim of this work was evaluated by questionnaire survey working conditions, environment and habits of Czech dentists before 1989 and now, determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among dentists and analyze the factors that may affect the disorders. The survey showed that dentists are all aware of the principles of ergonomic work, working in good conditions with tools that enable ergonomic way of working. Most dentists work in dental chair sits, but in the wrong position beside the head of the patient being treated while seated. Most doctors working with only one break for lunch daily and treats excessive number of patients. The results show that the lack of synthesis and use of the technical possibilities of theoretical knowledge with practical implementation and compliance with the principles of ergonomic work. For doctors who worked before 1989, there was a significant improvement in working conditions and..

The Use of Rubber Dam among Czech Dental Practitioners

Rubber dam is considered an ideal device for tooth isolation. Nevertheless, its usage is quite rare in the Czech Republic. The aim of this study was: firstly, to gather and evaluate information regarding the use of rubber dam by dentists in the Czech Republic and to compare it with other countries; secondly to find out whether there are any influencing factors as to rubber dam usage; and finally to find out frequency of rubber dam use separately in endodontic treatment and in placing fillings of different materials. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted. Dentists filled in the questionnaires during dental conventions, educational events, conferences and congresses. Rubber dam was routinely used by less than eight per cent of the respondents (n = 35); less than twenty-two per cent of the respondents (n = 97) used rubber dam occasionally, and more than seventy per cent of the respondents (n = 317) has never use it. The results showed that rubber dam is not used frequently in the Czech Republic. If rubber dam is used, then it is typically for endodontic treatment or composite fillings. There were several factors with a statistically significant influence on the usage of rubber dam, such as gender, length of professional career, percentage of direct payments, previous experience in using rubber dam, and undergraduate training in rubber dam use

THE PREVALENCE OF MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS AMONG DENTISTS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems among Czech dentists and to analyze the factors that affect these disorders. Information was gathered through questionnaire completed by 581 physicians. The questionnaire ascertained general information about physicians including their work habits and the characteristics of their work environment along with the occurrence of musculoskeletal problems as well as their intensity. In the past year the occurrence of at least mild difficulties associated with the locomotive system was reported by 96.9% of dentists surveyed (n = 557), with 66.3% of respondents (n = 381) reporting difficulties of a moderate or major nature. Most respondents of both sexes indicated neck pain. A statistically significant correlation with the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints of medium and major intensity was demonstrated for the following factors: sex, age, running a private practice, past injury or musculoskeletal diseases, and the perception of work as psychologically demanding. Musculoskeletal disorders in dentists in Czech Republic are relatively frequent and serious health problem. The causes of these diseases must be identified and appropriate preventive interventions undertaken that will contribute to a reduction in the incidence of these problems

A COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT RUBBER DAM SYSTEMS ON A DENTAL SIMULATOR

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that more recently developed rubber dam systems (OptraDam® Plus and OptiDam™) are faster and easier to handle, and that the quality of isolation is not decreased. The rubber dam systems were applied in standard conditions on a dental simulator in several model clinical situations. The time of preparation, application and removal were measured and the quality of isolation was evaluated. The median time of rubber dam placement was 51 s (Q1 = 38 s; Q3 = 79 s). The shortest median time of application was with OptiDam™ (42 s), followed by a conventional rubber dam (53 s), and finally the longest was with OptraDam® Plus (58 s). The median volume of fluid remaining in the isolated space after 5 minutes was 9.5 mL (Q1 = 8 mL; Q3 = 10 mL). The largest median volume of remaining water was with OptiDam™ (10 mL), followed by a conventional rubber dam (9.5 mL) and the least with OptraDam® Plus (8.5 mL). The afore-stated hypothesis about the advantages of modern rubber dam isolation systems was accepted for OptiDam™, but rejected for OptraDam® Plus. The results could contribute to decision-making concerning the choice of rubber dam system

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Symptoms among Czech Dental Students. Part 2: the Predictive Value of Digital Assessment

This article is the second part of an evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) prevalence among dental students. As the majority of complaints are in the back region, there is an endeavor to analyze objectively the disorders in this region. One of the non-invasive and non-radiation methods is the spinal curve mapping using the Spinal Mouse® device (Idiag AG, Fehraltorf, Switzerland). The aim of this study was to determine a correlation between subjectively described complaints and the results of an objective examination of the spine using the Spinal Mouse® device. Information about the participants is given in the first part of the article. All the participants were examined with the Spinal Mouse® device in several body positions. Further, the Matthiass test was performed to evaluate neuromuscular stabilization of the axial skeleton in static conditions. Musculoskeletal pain occurred more often in students who had a higher range of motion (ROM) and had worse static stabilization of spine. Other assessed factors or measured parameters did not have any influence on musculoskeletal pain. Some of the parameters measured with the Spinal Mouse® device showed a correlation with the prevalence of musculoskeletal