Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering (산업경영시스템학회지)

Society of Korea Industrial and System Engineering (한국산업경영시스템학회)
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Prevalence and Causes of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Korean Dentists

한국 치과의의 근골격계질환 실태 및 원인 조사

  • Ryu, Taebeum (Department of Industrial and Management Engineering, Hanbat National University)
  • 류태범 (한밭대학교 산업경영공학과)
  • Received : 2012.06.21
  • Accepted : 2012.12.01
  • Published : 2012.12.31
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Abstract

Dentists are known to be highly exposed to the musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The present study investigated the prevalence of MSD among Korean dentists and association between their MSD and physical workload. In addition, detailed causes related to the physical workloads were identified in dental operation, and needs for improvement of dental instrument and environment were collected from Korean dentists. The standardized Nordic questionnaire was used to survey body troubles and three types of questionnaires were made to investigate the physical workloads, causes of the physical workloads and improvement priority of dental equipments, respectively. A total of 104 Korean dentists were participated in the survey. Neck trouble (82%) was the most prevalent in Korean dentists, and shoulder (68%) and low back trouble (56%) followed, while low back trouble was reported to be most frequent in previous studies. The body troubles were related to the physical workload of the corresponding body parts, although they were not associated with personal characteristics. Most Korean dentists selected 'to keep direct view inside patient's mouth' and 'no support of the hand with dental instruments' as the causes of awkward and strenuous work postures. They wanted design improvement for some equipment in their operating room such as operating light and arrangement of workplace.

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References

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