Ergonomic Factors in Work Activities

Ergonomic Factors in Work Activities

In any medical profession, ergonomics are vitally important. The reason for this is related not only to the comfort of workers, but also to the health, convalescence and comfort of patients. This is perhaps particularly the case in the dentistry profession. Few people enjoy the prospect of a visit to the dentist. Ergonomic equipment however makes the process easier and quicker for both dentist and patient.

The most useful and ergonomically designed piece of equipment in the dentist's office is therefore the dentist's chair. The SK 652 Lux for example has 5 programmable positions, which makes the work of the dentist easier, and also improves the comfort of the patient. The dentist can adjust the positions until both professional and patient are in optimally comfortable positions. A dentist's table is built onto the chair via a swivel arm. Alternatively, a pantographic arm can hold up to five instruments and a polymerization lamp. Another pantographic arm can contain a spittoon block with a ceramic bowl, saliva ejector and halogen lamp. These can also include a rotary spittoon block and assistant arm with a surgical suction unit.

The dentist's chair is by far the most useful in the office of the professional. This is the most directly used piece of equipment during the working day of the dentist, and it is therefore important that it be optimally designed in terms of ergonomics. For this reason, it is first in line for ergonomically designed equipment in the dentist's office.

Second in line is the Dental Cart. This cart is both powered and controlled by compressed air, and contains a number of items routinely used by the dentist. These include a syringe, two or three hand-piece holders with tubing, water coolant bottle, stainless steel tray, motor speed selector, spray water, air filter, and an X-ray viewer.

The cart is used only by the dentist, and should therefore be in a position that is easily reachable by the professional. I put it in the second position in comparison with the dentist's chair, because it does not directly affect the patient. It is also somewhat cumbersome and heavy, with a transport weight of about 50 pounds. Furthermore, it looks rather large and might not be appropriate for all dental offices, as space can be limited here. It should therefore be carefully positioned in such a way that the dentist at no point needs to be discomforted by his need for a tool contained in the cart. He should be able to easily reach the cart at all times. A possible solution is to ensure that either the dentist or assistant is in a position to easily reach the cart at any given time. It is nevertheless a very useful piece of equipment in the dental office.

Third in line is the desktop computer. This is also a piece of equipment used only by the dentist. The purpose of the computer is to access patient files and to provide the patient with information relating to care suggestions and possible future treatments. In terms of ergonomics, there are a number of possible difficulties that may make the dentist's work somewhat more challenging rather than easier.