EVALUATION OF ERGONOMICS’ Awareness AMONG A GROUP OF Egyptian DENTAL INTERNS

Abstract

Dentistry is a profession associated with several occupational hazards. Ergonomic is the science dealing with people and their working environment. Evaluation of ergonomics’ awareness is minimal among dentists. Aim: To evaluate interns’ awareness level of concepts of ergo-dynamics.Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 40 interns in Faculty of Dentistry- Cairo University. Self- structured questionnaire, which addressed demographic data and average daily working hours was utilized. The participants’ awareness of ergo-dynamics was evaluated, and if participants adopted these principles in daily practice. The study evaluated if participants believed that applying such concepts was important, and whether these concepts should be part of dental curricula. Moreover, the study investigated if participants suffered from back and / or neck pain. Statistical analysis used: Data were gathered and expressed as percentages.Results: The study was conducted on 19 females (47.5%) and 21 males (52.5%). Participants worked in an average of 6-8 hours daily. The data revealed that 62.5% of participants never heard about ergonomics and only 37.5% heard about them from internet and their supervisors. 95% of them believed these concepts were important and that they must be part of dental curricula. 82% of participants were not aware of best distance from instruments & 70% of them didn’t know correct sitting postures. 90% of participants suffered back and/or neck pain.Conclusion: There is substantial lack of awareness about ergonomics among the studied group, despite the positive attitude towards studying and applying ergonomics’ principles.