LECTURE 1 - DETAILED PPT ERGONOMICS .pdf

ERGONOMICS

1. DR.SHAISTA HALEEM

ERGONOMICS

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After studying this chapter, the student will be able to:

• Describe the rules of etiquette in relationship to patient
reception and care.

• Describe the components of ergonomic practice and
relationship to career longevity.

• Identify the range of working positions for a right-handed and
left-handed clinician.

• Explain the ergonomic risk factors of clinical dental hygiene
practice.

3. ERGONOMICS
• It (from the Greek ergon, meaning “work,” and nomos,
meaning “law”) deals with adaptation of the work environment
to the human body.
• The goal of ergonomics is to help people stay healthy while
performing their work more effectively.

4. SCOPE OF ERGONOMIC DENTAL HYGIENE

• Includes all practices that make work safe,
decrease strain and fatigue, eliminate hazards, and
improve work process affecting health and well-
being of clinician and patient.

5. FACTORS TO CONSIDER FOR ERGONOMIC
PRACTICE – EQUIPMENT

• PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Lighting

• Magnification, coaxial headlight , Properly fitted
gloves
• Power instruments
Hand piece lightweight and ergonomically
designed Cords and cord management
Foot pedals
Suction
Air/water syringe

6. FACTORS TO CONSIDER FOR ERGONOMIC
PRACTICE - WORK LAYOUT

• Work Layout
• Uncluttered, easy access to patient, patient
records, computer, radiographs
• Counters clear with designated area for
documentation Instrument tray within arm’s reach

• Light fixture within arm’s length, easy to move and
Adjust

7. FACTORS TO CONSIDER FOR ERGONOMIC PRACTICE -
WORK PROCESS ORGANIZATION

Clinician NWP

Use of magnification system supporting NWP
CPP (Clinician-Patient Positioning)
Light within easy arm’s reach with clear illumination
Treatment area

Access and management of suction and air/water
Syringe Cords and cord maintenance

8. FACTORS TO CONSIDER FOR ERGONOMIC
PRACTICE -INSTRUMENTATION


• Reach of tray

• Proper grasp and fulcrum technique for dominant hand
Proper grasp and fulcrum technique for non dominant
hand

• Sharp instruments
Correct working stroke for location and type of deposit
Inclusion of power instrumentation
Placement and access of foot pedals
Selective polishing
Placement and access to overgloves
Documentation procedure

10. Ergonomic Risk Factors

11. Ergonomic Risk Factors

12. Ergonomic Risk Factors

13. ERGONOMICS AND DENTAL HYGIENIST
OPERATOR CHAIR
Goal: Promote mobility and patient access; accommodate
different body sizes
• Look for:
♦  Stability (5 legged base w/casters)
♦  Lumbar support
♦  Hands-free seat height adjustment
♦  Adjustable foot rests
♦  Adjustable, wrap-around body support
♦  Seamless upholstery

14. ERGONOMICS AND DENTAL HYGIENIST
MAGNIFICATION SYSTEMS
• Goal: Improve neck posture; Provide clearer vision
Consider:
♦ Working distance
♦ Depth of field
♦ Declination angle
♦ Convergence angle
♦ Magnification factor
♦ Lighting needs

15. APPLYING ERGONOMICS TO DENTAL
HYGIENIST LIGHTING
• Goal: produce even, shadow-free, color-corrected
illumination concentrated on operating field
• Overhead light switch readily accessible
• Hand mirrors can be used to provide light intraorally
• Fiberoptics for handpieces add concentrated
lighting to the operating field

16. ERGONOMICS IN DENTISTRY
WORKSTATION LAYOUT
• Ensure:
♦  Instruments, materials, medications, etc. are accessible while
seated
♦  Hoses are positioned away from the body
♦  Set-up can be adapted for different operators

18. • Work in a seated position, and they often use
excessive motion and have unbalanced posture.
•  Many dental professionals experience pain
associated with msds.

• Work-related symptoms range from back and joint
pain to neck and shoulder pain, hand and wrist pain,
and headaches.

19. IMPROPER SEATING

20. The early onset of pain should alert the worker that:

•  An imbalance exists.

• if it is ignored.

21. POSTURE

• Posture affects the ability of the dental hygienist to
reach, hold, and use equipment.

• Positioning also influences how long the hygienist
can perform a task without suffering adverse health
effects.

22. NEUTRAL POSITION

• The ideal way to work is from a “neutral” position.
You can establish a neutral position by sitting upright
with your weight evenly distributed

• Should be flat on the footrest of the Hygienist stool
when you are working on patient.
•  Your back should be pressed against the back of the
chair for lumbar support. Your hips should lean
forward to rotate the pelvis backward.

24. DEVIATIONS AND PROBLEMS
• The dental Hygienists tends to deviate from the neutral
position. Such deviations include leaning forward, twisting,
over bending the back, and reaching.
• These poor postures can lead to aches, pains, numbness, and
tingling. Ideally, the assistant alternates sitting and standing
whenever possible.
• Frequent reaching, twisting, and working with the arms in
awkward positions can cause strains and sprains. Strains result
from extreme stretching of muscles or ligaments.

26. REACHING MOVEMENTS
• Keep frequently used items, such as the air-water syringe,
handpiece, saliva ejector, and high-volume oral evacuator,
within a comfortable distance not above shoulder level or
below the waist.

• Adjust the instrument tray and equipment so that items are
within normal horizontal reach.

27. • Repetition and Force
• Repetitive motion, over fixtion, and overextension of the wrist
can significantly increase the risk for cumulative trauma
disorders (CTDs).
• To help prevent common CTDs take periodic breaks, and
when scheduling patients, alternate difficult procedures with
less stressful procedures.

28. CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
• The term carpal tunnel refers to an anatomic area of the hand
and wrist
• With improper motion, the tendons swell and exert pressure on
the median nerve).

• Repetitive and forceful motion can lead to carpal tunnel
syndrome (CTS).

• Often, the first symptom of CTS is a painful tingling in one or
both hands that occurs at night.

30. GLOVES
• The use of ambidextrous gloves (gloves designed to be worn
on either hand)
• Can place excessive tension on the thenar eminenc.
Properly Fitting Gloves
• It is important to wear gloves that fit you properly.
•  Gloves that are too tight can cause circulation problems to
your fingers and hands.

31. MUSCLE-STRENGTHENING EXERCISES
• Stretching and strengthening the muscles that support your
back and neck and those used in the forearm, wrist, and hand
help to keep these muscles strong and healthy.
• To warm the muscles and joints of your hands, slowly open
and close your hands, moving from a completely open position
to a completely closed position, which ends with your fingers
tucked into your palm

33. • Also, press your palms together, and then relax them.

34. • Another recommended stretching exercise is to hold one arm
out in front of your body with your hand extended. With the
fingers of your other hand, gently pull back on your extended
fingers to increase the stretch.
• To relieve stresses placed on the back, neck, and shoulders,
perform the full back release .
•  Do head rotations for neck stiffness.

35. • Head rotations involve tilting the head from right to left and
from forward to backward without forcing the motion beyond
a range of comfort.
• Pull your shoulders up toward your ears, and then roll them
backward and forward in a circular motion .

36. Shoulder shrugging

37. ERGONOMIC CONCLUSION
• Using ergonomics reduces RSI (repetitive strain
injuries)
• Client positioning depends on the position of the
clinician
• Ergonomically designed instruments
• Fundamental grasp and hand stabilization
• Regular strengthening & stretching exercises
• If signs &symptoms of RSI occur, asses workplace
practices and seek medical attention