[Investigation on the intervention effect of clinical ergonomics education on WMSDs of dentists].

Objective

To explore the effects of clinical ergonomics theoretical training combined with clinical chairside operation guidance strategy on the incidence of pain symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among dentists.

Methods

A total of 80 dentists working in the Stomatology Department of the First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital from June 2023 to December 2023 were selected as the study objects by random simply sampling method. And the objects were separated into the control group (40 persons) and the experimental group (40 persons). The control group didn't get any special intervention, and the experimental group had half a year of training in clinical ergonomics and guidance on clinical chairside operation. The WMSDs cognitive level and symptom incidence of dentists in two groups were measured by questionnaire, and the intensity of pain symptom of WMSDs was compared by visual analogue scale (VAS). The count date was compared using χ(2) test. For measurement data that followed a normal distribution and met the homogeneity of variance requirement, independent samples t-test was used for intergroup comparison. For measurement data that followed a normal distribution but exhibited unequal variances, the corrected t-test was conducted for intergroup comparison.

Results

The cognitve rates of dentists in the experimental group regarding WMSDs symptoms, affected areas, influencing factors, and preventive measures reached 90.0% (36 dentists), 87.5% (35 dentists), 80.0% (32 dentists), and 82.5% (33 dentists), respectively. The incidences of WMSDs in the neck and shoulder of the experimental group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the VAS scores indicated that the intensity of WMSDs pain symptoms in the neck, shoulder, hands/wrists and lower bock/waist of dentists in the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05) .

Conclusion

Strengthening the clinical ergonomics education and training for dentists is conducive to lowering the incidence of WMSDs, mitigating the severity of symptoms, and preserving the physical health of dentists.