Maintaining a Balanced Posture by Dentists—A Challenge of the Current Practice
1 Department of Research Methodology-Ergonomics, ‘‘Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050037 Bucharest, Romania; (A.A.); (C.P.)
2 Department of Oral Pathology, ‘‘Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050037 Bucharest, Romania;
3 Department of Oral Health and Community Dentistry, ‘‘Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050037 Bucharest, Romania;
4 Department of Denture Technology and Dental Materials, ‘‘Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050037 Bucharest, Romania;
* Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-721-278-028
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 16 Nov 2021 / Revised: 24 Dec 2021 / Accepted: 28 Dec 2021 / Published: 31 Dec 2021
Abstract
(1) Background: Dentistry is acknowledged as being particularly physically demanding, considering access difficulty and visibility of the operating field. The issue of posture is frequently discussed in the literature due to its significant contribution in the etiology of musculoskeletal disorders, but never enough to encourage all dentists to adopt safe, healthy working positions. (2) Methods: This article presents the arguments that justify the attention needed to be paid to the balanced posture recommended to dentists and goes further and outlines a logical model that could help in maintaining a balanced posture as much as possible during the therapeutic act. Describing the balanced posture alone has a limited practical utility, and thus we have detailed the aspects that involve the spatial relationship of the doctor with the patient sitting on the dental chair. (3) Results: An optimal working distance and postural symmetry are the main objectives to be considered, each of them being conditioned by several elements. These elements have been detailed throughout the article, always taking into account the realities of the daily practice, with its challenges and limitations. (4) Conclusions: A greater attention paid to maintaining the optimal working position provides doctors the chance to perform their activity in comfortable and safe conditions.
Keywords: ergonomics in dentistry; balanced posture; optimal working distance; postural symmetry
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CITE
Pîrvu, C.; Axante, A.; Preoteasa, C.; Pârlătescu, I.; Cărămidă, M.; Pîrvu, D. Maintaining a Balanced Posture by Dentists—A Challenge of the Current Practice. Timisoara_Med 2021, 2021, 5.
Pîrvu C, Axante A, Preoteasa C, Pârlătescu I, Cărămidă M, Pîrvu D. Maintaining a Balanced Posture by Dentists—A Challenge of the Current Practice. Timisoara Medical Journal. 2021; 2021(2):5.
Pîrvu, Cristina; Axante, Anca; Preoteasa, Cristina; Pârlătescu, Ioanina; Cărămidă, Mariana; Pîrvu, Daniela. 2021. "Maintaining a Balanced Posture by Dentists—A Challenge of the Current Practice." Timisoara_Med 2021, no. 2: 5.
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