Key Points
-
Emphasises the benefits of correct seating and good posture.
-
May benefit dental students and dentists in introducing the concept of healthy working posture.
-
Introduces the relationship between working posture and musculoskeletal disorders.
Abstract
Objectives To assess dental students' posture on two different seats in order to determine if one seat predisposes to a difference in working posture. Design A between-subject experimental design was selected. Setting The study was undertaken at the University of Birmingham School of Dentistry in 2006. Subjects (materials) and methods Sixty second year dental students at the University of Birmingham who were attending their fi rst classes in the phantom head laboratory were randomly selected and allocated to two different seats (30 Bambach Saddle Seats and 30 conventional seats). Students were trained in the use of the seats. After ten weeks, the students were observed, photographs were taken by the researcher and these were assessed using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Main outcome measures The posture of the students was assessed using the RULA. Each student was given a risk score. A Mann Whitney test was used for statistical analysis. Results The results indicated that the students using the conventional seat recorded signifi cantly higher risk scores (p <0.05) when compared with the students using Bambach Saddle Seat, suggesting an improvement in posture when using the Bambach Saddle Seat. Conclusion RULA has identifi ed that dental students using a Bambach Saddle Seat were able to maintain an acceptable working posture during simulated dental treatment and this seating may reduce the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
References
Finsen L, Christensen H, Bakke M . Musculoskeletal disorders among dentists and variation in dental work. Appl Ergon 1998; 29: 119–125.
Milerad E, Ekenvall L . Symptoms of the neck and upper extremities in dentists. Scand J Work Environ Health 1990; 16: 129–134.
Osborn J, Newell K, Rudney J, Stoltenberg J . Musculoskeletal pain among Minnesota dental hygienists. J Dent Hyg 1990; 64: 132–138.
Rundcrantz B-L, Johnsson B, Moritz U . Cervical pain and discomfort among dentists. Epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects. Part 1. A survey of pain and discomfort. Swed Dent J 1990; 14: 71–80.
Oberg T, Oberg U . Musculoskeletal complaints in dental hygiene: a survey study from a Swedish country. J Dent Hyg 1993; 67: 257–261.
Akesson I, Lundborg G, Horstmann V, Skerfving S . Neuropathy in female dental personnel exposed to high frequency vibrations. Occup Environ Med 1995; 52: 116–123.
Finsen L . Biomechanical analyses of occupational work loads in the neck and shoulder. A study in dentistry. PhD thesis, National Institute of Occupational Health, Copenhagen, Human Physiology, August Krogh Institute at University of Copenhagen, Department of Oral Function and Physiology, School of Dentistry, 1995.
Shugars D, Miller D, Williams D, Fishburne C, Strickland D . Musculoskeletal pain among general dentists. Gen Dent 1987; 35: 272–276.
Burke F J T, Freeman R . The practice of dentistry: an assessment of reasons for premature retirement. Br Dent J 1997; 182: 250–254.
Lake J . Musculoskeletal dysfunction associated with the practice of dentistry – proposed mechanisms and management: literature review. Univ Tor Dent J 1995; 9: 7–11.
Nachemson A . The lumbar spine: an orthopedic challenge. Spine 1976; 1.
Grandjean E . Ergonomics in the home. London: Taylor and Francis, 1973.
Beach T A C, Parkinson R J, Stothart J, Callaghan J P . Effects of prolonged sitting on passive stiffness of the in vivo lumbar spine. Spine J 2005; 5: 145–154.
McGill S M, Brown S . Creep response of the lumbar spine to prolonged flexion. Clin Biomech 1992; 7: 4346.
Mannion A F . Fibre type characteristics and function of the human paraspinal muscles: normal values and changes in association with low back pain. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 1999; 9: 363–377.
Gunning J, Callaghan J P, McGill S M . The role of prior loading history and spinal posture on the compressive tolerance and type of failure in the spine using a porcine trauma model. Clin Biomech 2001; 16: 471480.
Bogduk N . Clinical anatomy of the lumbar spine and sacrum, 4th ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2005.
Moseley G L . Impaired trunk muscle function in sub-acute neck pain: etiologic in the subsequent development of low back pain? Man Ther 2004; 9: 157–163.
Snijders C J, Bakker M P, Vleeming A, Stoeckart R, Stam H J . Oblique abdominal muscle activity in standing and in sitting on hard and soft seats. Clin Biomech 1995; 10: 73–78.
Pheasant S . Ergonomics, work and health. UK: Palgrave Macmillan, 1991.
Pynt J, Higgs J, Mackey M . Seeking the optimal posture of the seated lumbar spine. Physiother Theory Pract 2001; 17: 5–21.
McAtamney L, Corlett E N . RULA: a survey method for the investigation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Appl Ergon 1993; 24: 91–99.
Random Number Generator. http://www.segobit.com/rng.htm. Accessed 27 July 2006.
Nguyen B D . Musculoskeletal problems and occupational stress among dentists and dental assistants in a dental clinic. National Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, Vietnam. Occup Environ Med 2004; 61: e57. http://www.occenvmed.com/cgi/content/full/61/11/e57. Accessed 27 July 2006.
Corlett E N, Eklund J A E . How does a back rest work? Appl Ergon 1984; 15: 111–114.
Callaghan J P, McGill S M . Low back joint loading and kinematics during standing and unsupported sitting. Ergonomics 2001; 44: 280–294.
Hedman T P, Fernie G R . Mechanical response of the lumbar spine to seated postural loads. Spine 1997; 22: 734–743.
Black K M, McClure P, Polansky M . The influence of different sitting positions on cervical and lumbar posture. Spine 1996; 21: 65–70.
Gale M, Feather S, Jensen S, Coster G . Study of a workseat designed to preserve lumbar lordosis. Aust Occup Ther J 1989; 36: 92–99.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Refereed paper
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gandavadi, A., Ramsay, J. & Burke, F. Assessment of dental student posture in two seating conditions using RULA methodology – a pilot study. Br Dent J 203, 601–605 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/bdj.2007.1047
Accepted:
Published:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bdj.2007.1047
This article is cited by
-
Influence of design of dentist’s chairs on body posture for dentists with different working experience
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2021)
-
Do dental students have acceptable working posture?
British Dental Journal (2018)
-
Constrained posture in dentistry – a kinematic analysis of dentists
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2017)
-
No turning back: posture in dental practice
BDJ Team (2015)
-
Postural Assessment of Students Evaluating the Need of Ergonomic Seat and Magnification in Dentistry
The Journal of Indian Prosthodontic Society (2014)
