A STUDY OF ERGONOMIC POSTURE IN MICROSCOPIC DENTISTRY

Abstract

Objective: Body measurements were made to examine the operating posture of microscope users from the ergonomic viewpoint. As a control, data from subjects who do not use a microscope were compared to verify the effect of a microscope on the operator's posture. Materials and methods: The 14 points on the body specified by the World pd Healthcare Society were used for measurement. The subjects were 10 dentists and dental hygienists who routinely used microscopes. Measurements were made based on the subject’s self-report of the range in which they felt comfortable. Result: Almost all subjects could achieve the balanced operating posture that is appropriate for precision work in microscopic dentistry. The same was true for the subjects who did not routinely use a microscope. Discussion: It was found that use of a microscope did not affect the operator’s ergonomic posture, and that there was no difference in the appropriate posture of the operator with or without routine use of a microscope.