Analysis of operator posture during cavity preparations

Abstract

I investigated the operating postures of 101 dentists during cavity preparation in order to determine the optimal position for reduction of physical stress to the waist. The dentists did disto ・ occlusal cavity preparations in the right and left maxillary first molars, and a mesial class III cavity preparation in the maxillary left central incisor of a mannequin head using their habitual posture. Increasing the height of the position of the mannequin head (MP) increased the operator's eye position (EP). The greatest MP and greatest EP were recorded with the operator at the 12 o'clock position, using a mirror. No relation ship was found between the height of the stool and EP. The findings suggest that the higher the position of patient's oral cavity, the lower was the operator's physical stress.