title: Analysis of the risk factors of musculoskeletal disease among dentists induced by work posture.
abstract: [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to ergonomically evaluate the work posture of dentists to examine their subsequent risk of developing musculoskeletal diseases. [Subjects and Methods] Scenes in which the three dentists performed procedures at their dental clinics were videotaped. The videotapes of the dentists' work postures were evaluated and analyzed by using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Quick Exposure Check (QEC). [Results] The RULA analysis of the dentists' work posture indicated, "improvement required" in the posture used to treat the anterior and "instant improvement required" in the posture used to treat the maxillary second molar. Of all the work postures studied, the risk was considered particularly high in the lower back and neck, implying prominent problems in these body parts. The QEC analysis showed that the worst work posture was that required to treat the maxillary second molar, which led to a high risk of neck problems and vibrations. [Conclusion] The neck area has the highest risk of developing musculoskeletal disease. Hence, regular rests and the provision of information regarding muscle strengthening exercise for the neck are necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Service Management, Business College, Daejeon University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Suk
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofaical Surgery, Department of Dentistry, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Kangwon National University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyo-Lyun
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Kangwon National University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Namkoong
keywords: Dentists; Ergonomic evaluation; Musculoskeletal diseases
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