Occupational cervico-brachial disorders among dentists. Analysis of ergonomics and locomotor functions

The aim of the investigation was to compare dentists with and without occupational cervicobrachial disorders with regard to the mobility of the neck and shoulders and the static endurance of the shoulder muscles. Further, differences in working position and the task performance on a stimulated case were to be analysed. The investigation was carried out during a visit to the workplace of 143 dental officers in the Public Dental Service in Malmöhus District and the Municipality of Malmö. Of these dentists, 96 had signs of cervico-brachial disorders and discomfort while 47 had not. The ergonomic examination showed, that significantly more dentists without symptoms of pain applied a wedge cushion under the upper part of the back of the patient to get an optimum view (p less than 0.05). It was also found that significantly more dentists without symptoms were aware of and utilised the naturally arising pauses in their work than dentists with pain and discomfort. Further dentists with cervico-brachial disorders kept their head sidebent and rotated to a greater extent than dentists without symptoms (p less than 0.01). No significant difference was found between the two groups concerning mobility of the neck and shoulders. Significant differences were found between women with and without cervico-brachial systems.