To investigate the working posture of dental students performing a clinical restorative procedure.A biomechanical motion analysis was developed to quantify postural changes in the students posture pre and post ergonomically trained.
Method:
7 final year clinical dental students were assessed to perform a restorative cavity preparation on the 13 tooth on a phantom head.The students had no prior education in dental ergonomics, 4 handed dentistry principles.They performed the clinical procedure wearing skin markers on upper body joint and spinal landmarks. These were recorded on a Vicon motion analysis computer, which reproduced a 3D biomechanical mapping image of the preergonomically trained student.The students were later trained in 4 handed principles and integrated ergonomically designed equipment, whilst repeating the same clinical procedure and recorded in the same manner.
Results:
Pre and post training postures of the students recorded head flexion,pitch and roll. Shoulder elevation and abduction of both arms.
The most significant improvement was in the reduction of head(cervical)flexion in the post ergonomically trained recording.
Conclusions:
This recording technique has the potential to record the working posture of the practitioner whilst they develop their clinical skills. It could potentially reduce the development of musculoskeletal conditions especially in the cervical region of the spine.