The Effects of Sitting and Standing Hygiene on Posture in Dental Hygiene Students

<p>Problem: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess biomechanical and postural impacts of sitting and standing independently during dental hygiene practice. Methods: A convenience sample of thirty-four second-year dental hygiene students with no history of musculoskeletal disorders were enrolled in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to instrument one quadrant of the mouth on buccal or lingual surfaces while seated or standing during two independent research sessions. Two images per session, for a total of four images per participant, were taken to assess biomechanical demands of each posture using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) tool. The images were independently scored by four calibrated researchers and then a mean score was utilized for data analyses. An end-user survey was also completed by participants at both sessions to gather participant perceptions of posture and pain. Results: Thirty-four female second year dental hygiene students completed the study and had useable images for data analyses. Results revealed statistically significant differences in mean RULA scores indicating better posture while seated (M = 3.91, SD = 0.77) when compared to standing (M = 4.50, SD = 1.00) (p=0.001). No participants had acceptable postures for either sitting or standing, as indicated by scores on the RULA. Overall, 79% of participants perceived their posture to be <em>neutral</em>, <em>somewhat good</em>, or <em>very good</em> when seated and 71% of participants perceived their posture to be <em>neutral, somewhat poor</em>, or<em> very poor</em> when standing. Conclusion: The results support the need for additional ergonomic training and education in the dental hygiene curriculum and future research on biomechanical and postural loads of each posture. A larger, more diverse sample of clinically practicing dental hygienists could provide more insight into the ergonomic benefits of sitting and standing postures and the associated musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risks throughout the workday.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Dental Hygiene (MSDH)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Dental Hygiene

Year dc:date.available

2021

Author dc:creator

• Kace, Taylor Shay

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jessica R. Suedbeck
• Emily A. Ludwig
• Brenda Bradshaw

• Dental hygiene
• Ergonomics
• Musculoskeletal disorder
• Posture

Statement dc:rights

• <p>In Copyright. URI: <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).</p>

Identifier

9798515246709

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.odu.edu:dentalhygiene_etds-1019