DENTISTS ANE THEIR LABORA A Physiologycal Study

Abstract

This is an attempt to make a survey of the particular conditions under which dentists are forced to work in a standing posture almost all day long, from the two viewpoints namely of their energy consumption and fatigue.
In the first place, concerning the former point the author has figured out how much energy is usually dissipated on a day's work by knowing their day-schedule according to Time Study on one hand, and Relative Metabolic Rate (R.M.R.) on the other measured from unit operation in their dental consultation.
Secondly, the examination as to the latter point has been made over 108 dentists that it might be known how much difference of fatigue they are conscious of before and after a day's consultation work, and besides, such tests as Flicker Test, P.S.R, near point Method were applied to 8 to 10 practioners continually from Monday to Saturday in a week for calculating their fatigued condition.
In conclusion, two things have been apparent, -they have very little free time, while their fatigue increases and accummulates remarkably day by day though its condition has something in common with that of other mental workers.