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Ergonomic Risk Assessment of Dental Students—RULA Applied to Objective Kinematic Data

Author

Listed:
  • Kim Sarah Blume

    (Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

  • Fabian Holzgreve

    (Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

  • Laura Fraeulin

    (Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

  • Christina Erbe

    (Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany)

  • Werner Betz

    (Institute of Dentistry, Goethe-University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

  • Eileen M. Wanke

    (Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

  • Doerthe Brueggmann

    (Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

  • Albert Nienhaus

    (Principles of Prevention and Rehabilitation Department (GPR), Institute for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), 20251 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Christian Maurer-Grubinger

    (Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

  • David A. Groneberg

    (Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

  • Daniela Ohlendorf

    (Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) is already prevalent in dental students despite their young age and the short duration of dental practice. The current findings state that the causes of MSD are related to posture during dental work. This study aims to investigate the ergonomic risk of dental students. In order to analyze the ergonomic risk of dental students, 3D motion analyses were performed with inertial sensors during the performance of standardized dental activities. For this purpose, 15 dental students and 15 dental assistant trainees (all right-handed) were measured in a team. Data were analyzed using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), which was modified to evaluate objective data. Ergonomic risk was found for the following body parts in descending order: left wrist, right wrist, neck, trunk, left lower arm, right lower arm, right upper arm, left upper arm. All relevant body parts, taken together, exhibited a posture with the highest RULA score that could be achieved (median Final Overall = 7), with body parts in the very highest RULA score of 7 for almost 80% of the treatment time. Dental students work with poor posture over a long period of time, exposing them to high ergonomic risk. Therefore, it seems necessary that more attention should be paid to theoretical and practical ergonomics in dental school.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim Sarah Blume & Fabian Holzgreve & Laura Fraeulin & Christina Erbe & Werner Betz & Eileen M. Wanke & Doerthe Brueggmann & Albert Nienhaus & Christian Maurer-Grubinger & David A. Groneberg & Daniela , 2021. "Ergonomic Risk Assessment of Dental Students—RULA Applied to Objective Kinematic Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10550-:d:651820
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Janna Lietz & Nazan Ulusoy & Albert Nienhaus, 2020. "Prevention of Musculoskeletal Diseases and Pain among Dental Professionals through Ergonomic Interventions: A Systematic Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-28, May.
    2. Janna Lietz & Agnessa Kozak & Albert Nienhaus, 2018. "Prevalence and occupational risk factors of musculoskeletal diseases and pain among dental professionals in Western countries: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(12), pages 1-26, December.
    3. Daniela Ohlendorf & Antonia Naser & Yvonne Haas & Jasmin Haenel & Laura Fraeulin & Fabian Holzgreve & Christina Erbe & Werner Betz & Eileen M. Wanke & Doerthe Brueggmann & Albert Nienhaus & David A. G, 2020. "Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Dentists and Dental Students in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-19, November.
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