TITLE:
Comparative ergonomic evaluation of the hand-pieces of three instrument series for root planning
AUTHORS:
Mario Migliario, Andrea Melle, Paola Carcieri, Lia Rimondini
KEYWORDS:
Dental Hygienist; Instrumentation; Professional Practice; Periodontal Instruments
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Stomatology,
Vol.4 No.2,
February
19,
2014
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Musculoskeletal
disorders (MSD) are the most frequent cause of disability in the working
population, exceeding accidental trauma in frequency. The risk of developing
work-related upper limb disorders (WURLDs) is high among dental hygienists and
the most frequently affected are elderly subjects and women. Since such
disorders can have a negative effect on the working life and on the quality of
life, it is of vital importance to put in place preventive measures. Aim: To
make a comparative analysis of the hand-pieces of three different manual
instruments used for root planning. Materials and Methods: To evaluate the
physical characteristics (section, diameter, external surface, weight) of the
hand-pieces of three series of instruments for root planning, twenty-nine
dental hygienists students were videoed while working clinically. They were
also interviewed using a specific questionnaire to determine subjective preferences
in terms of perceived efficacy, safety, comfort and general acceptability of
the hand-piece used. Results: Lightness, full-cylindrical section with larger-diameter
ends, and coating with anti-slip silicone are the most appreciated
characteristics of a hand-piece. Conclusions: Ergonomic analyses of manual
instruments are not frequent in the dental field, and the literature reports no
guidelines to guide selection of the type of hand-piece of manual instruments.
The data gathered may help manufacturers in designing new manual instruments,
and guiding professionals in their selection.