PERCEPTION AND PRACTICE OF ERGONOMICS IN DENTISTRY AMONG DENTAL PRACTITIONERS AND POST GRADUATES IN INDIA

Introduction: The knowledge pertaining to ergonomics is vital for preventing musculoskeletal disorder. A proper work posture should be inculcated in dental clinical practice to prevent such health hazards. Materials and Methods: A survey was conducted among the dental postgraduate students for the duration of 3 months. The questionnaire was validated and online Google forms were prepared and circulated among the postgraduate students of various dental institutes. Questionnaire was divided into three parts. Part 1 includes the demographic variables and knowledge towards ergonomics. Part 2 questions are related to awareness toward ergonomics. Part 3 being the practices of ergonomic principles by postgraduates. The resultant responses were recorded in Microsoft Excel format which formed the basic data for the study. The correlation between the source of information related to knowledge and practices about ergonomics was statistically evaluated using the Chi-square test. A P value < 0.05 was measured as statistically significant. Results: On statistical analysis, there was a statistically significant correlation observed among dental practioners and dental post graduate students and also amongst the second and the third-year postgraduate students toward basic ergonomics compared to the 1st year. Conclusion: Comprehensive understanding and awareness regarding the types of ergonomically equipped chairs for practicing in dental clinics among postgraduate was lacking. A proper emphasis on chair side exercise and training should be initiated to prevent any sort of musculoskeletal pains