Evaluation Of Ergonomic Training Programme Among Dental Undergraduates In Preclinical Conservative Dentistry: An Interventional Study

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and potential risk factors are more among dentists, dental hygienists and dental students. However, studies on WMSD among dental and dental hygiene students are quite limited.  The objective of the study is to quantitatively evaluate the experiences of students enrolling in the preclinical conservative class with ergonomic practice.

Methods: The study is a single group interventional study planned amongst all second year undergraduate dental students, in the department of Conservative dentistry and Endodontics, MES Dental College, MES Academy of medical sciences, Perinthalmanna, Kerala, India. Informed consent was taken from the students involved in the study. The total duration of the study was 8 months. First 3 months were training period in which theory classes and practical classes on ergonomic postures were covered. Classes were taken twice in a week. The students were assessed by the investigator based on the criteria given in the checklist. For each item classified as correct received one point each and each incorrect point received zero point. The total score was out of 10.This assessment was done thrice i.e. at the end of first month, second month and third month. During the training period, a questionnaire consisting of 15 questions were provided to the students at the end of first month. At the end of third month of training programme, the same questionnaire with 15 questions were given to the students and the difference in their responses were analysed. The remaining time period of 5months was observation period during which the investigator observed the students performing ergonomic work postures while doing procedures. And interventions were done whenever the students performed in a wrong ergonomic posture. The number of times interventions done for a particular student during the observation period were documented.

Results and discussion:

Assessment of preclinical scores of the students revealed that the percentage score was maximum from first to third month (43.69%) when compared to first to second (24.31%) and second to third month (25.39%). Pairwise comparison of three groups among time periods were found to be significant (p value=0.001).Comparison of pre and post training questionnaire showed significant improvement in student’s response with p value <0.05 for each question. To correlate the number of interventions and preclinical scores of each students, a negative correlation of 0.7 was observed ie,the students with maximum preclinical scores during training period required only few interventions in the observation period and the students with minimum preclinical scores during training period required more interventions during the observation period.

Conclusion:

Ergonomic training program incorporated in preclinical classes helped students to adopt and internalize correct work posture throughout their academic year