IADR Abstract Archives

Awareness of Oral Health Students Regarding Ergonomics in Practice

Objectives: To assess the level of knowledge regarding ergonomics and the associated prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in oral health undergraduate students.
Methods: A cross sectional analytical study was conducted at the School of Dentistry at the University of Pretoria. The sample included all senior dental and oral hygiene students registered in 2021. A modified questionnaire was distributed to all participants through an online medium. It consisted of questions that assessed the student’s perceptions; their level of practical and theoretical knowledge of ergonomics; their personal assessment of their competency in implementing ergonomics and their prevalence of musculoskeletal pain. Data was collected using an excel spreadsheet and was then analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Ethical clearance was obtained from the Faculty Ethical Committee and all information was anonymous.
Results: The response rate was 52%. The participants had a mean score of 68% for the perceptions of their level of knowledge and 63% for their actual level of ergonomic knowledge. Just over half (53%) of the students were able to successfully implement their ergonomic knowledge practically. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain amongst students was 32% prior to dental school and 78% during dental school. The sites most commonly affected were the back (77%), neck (51%) and shoulders (51%).
Conclusions: The majority of students had an average level of knowledge regarding the ergonomic principles, however their practical application of the ergonomic knowledge was poor. Many respondents suffered from back pain which seemed to have started since treating patients. The supervisors should enforce healthy ergonomic practices during clinical sessions and assist students in their seating positions when treating patients

2021 South African Division Meeting (Virtual)
Virtual
2021

Education Research
  • Moosa, Ummi Kulthum  ( University of Pretoria , Pretoria , Gauteng , South Africa )
  • Bhayat, Ahmed  ( University of Pretoria , Pretoria , Gauteng , South Africa )
  • NONE
    Poster Session
    Abstracts Accepted