Dentists' Preventive Attitudes Towards Occupational Exposure to Ergonomic Hazards in Moldavian Region of  Romania

Lucia Magda Barlean; Carina Balcos

Volume : III, Issue : VIII, August - 2014

Dentists' Preventive Attitudes Towards Occupational Exposure to Ergonomic Hazards in Moldavian Region of Romania

Lucia Magda Barlean, Carina Balcos

Abstract :

The ergonomic hazards represent a significant occupational risk for the dentists. The study aims to assess the dentists� occupational ergonomic problems during patient health-care. Methods. A questionnaire-based study included 280 dentists aged between 27-66 years, from Moldavian Region of Romania.. Data were analyzed using SPSS 14.0 program (p<0.05). Results. Dentists were affected by musculoskeletal disorders in the lumbar spine-20,6%, cervical spine-18,6%, right shoulder-26,3% and right arm-10,6% . The reported symptoms included pain-74,7% and functional limitation-32,5% . The agreed working positions were :the orthostatic position ( 22,9%), sitting position (39,1%) and a position adapted to the patient ( 38,0%). The patient is placed in sitting (17,8%),horizontal (14,5%) or 45 degrees body tilt position (62,3% ). 35,8% of the dentists apply the Four Handed Dentistry requirements. Conclusion. Dentists must adopt a preventive attitude towards occupational musculoskeletal pathology by applying the ergonomic requirements and adopt a healthy lifestyle.