Evaluation of practitioners' knowledge, attitude and practices regarding ergonomic principles in operative dentistry

Objectives. Operative dentistry puts practitioners at risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) because it involves repetitive tasks and static postures. Although ergonomic principles can reduce these risks, little research has been done on the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of dental professionals with regard to ergonomics. Methods. Two hundred dentists with at least 2 years of clinical experience in India participated in a questionnaire-based survey. Demographic information, ergonomic KAP and self-evaluation using rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) were gathered in the survey. Regression analysis, analysis of variance and descriptive statistics were used to examine the data. Results. There was a high level of ergonomic awareness: 92.1% of respondents knew how to position chairs and 83.3% understood the significance of lighting. Ergonomics were valued by 83.8% of respondents and training was supported by 79.7%. However, inconsistent practices were observed, especially regarding wrist (p = 0.041) and neck (p = 0.032) posture. Lack of training and poor infrastructure were key barriers. Although ergonomic confidence increased with experience, correlations with knowledge and practice were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion. Ergonomic practice is still insufficient despite a wealth of knowledge and optimistic attitudes. To lower MSDs and increase practitioner longevity, structured ergonomic training and better workplace design are crucial.