title: Ergonomics and dentistry.
abstract: Since 1992 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been preparing Federal legislation concerned with ergonomic hazards in at-risk workplaces. Although multifactorial in nature, there is sufficient evidence in the scientific literature to document an association between the practice of dentistry and a variety of musculoskeletal disorders. There are preventive strategies already known and available to us. Should dentistry be considered an at-risk profession and be required to comply with the forthcoming standard, or is self-monitoring sufficient?
authors.affiliation: NYU College of Dentistry, USA.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003762:Dental Instruments; D003797:Dental Staff; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States; D014489:United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards