P-394 Musculoskeletal disorders among military dentists: Semi-quantitative ergonomic risk assessment

Introduction The activity of the dentist, notably in the military force, is faced like many others the scourge of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). Objectives This study aimed to identify the MSD hazards among dentists and identify work situations that can contribute to their appearance and offer appropriate ergonomic remedial measures for their prevention. Methods This is a semi-quantitative study conducted in a military dental surgery service in Tunis by observing biomechanical constraints during three different dental acts. These observations were then analysed using ERGOROM software. Results The MSD hazards identified in this study as common to all dentists were strained postures, repetition, static shoulder postures and bad working position. The neck was in more than 40 degrees flexion or extended over 63% to 95% of the working time. The shoulders were in sustained contraction over 40 to 72% of the working time with a low variation suggesting an isometric shoulder contraction. The elbows were in flexion over 56 to 91% of the working time with low variation flexion/extension. The preferred wrist position was hyper-extension or hyper-flexion over 20 to 64% of working time and ulnar or radial deviation over 14 to 35% of working time. Isometric dental instruments grasp spread over almost the whole working time for the three observed dental acts. Conclusion Our study confirmed biomechanical constraints and MSD hazards to which dentists are exposed and guided us in our preventive approach in order to propose the most adequate and appropriate solutions to the military command.