A cross-training ergonomic exchange between the doctor of occupational therapy and dental students

Abstract

During their pre-clinical and clinical education, dental students are frequently exposed to ergonomic risk factors including awkward and static postures, repetitive movements, excessive force, and vibration. These factors significantly increase the risk of developing and experiencing musculoskeletal discomfort and disorders.¹ The curriculum committee of one dental program identified the need for proactive ergonomic training aimed at equipping their students with methods and techniques to minimize work-related musculoskeletal discomfort and disorders. Dental school programs can enhance curricula by integrating with occupational therapy educators and students to improve their ergonomics-related content. Occupational therapists trained in assessing and intervening in workplace musculoskeletal discomfort and injury represent a valuable resource for advancing ergonomic content in dental programs to improve professional practice.

A collaborative relationship was established between the occupational therapy and dental programs at one academic medical center to assess and improve the ergonomics of dental students and provide experiential learning in occupational therapy. An occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) student engaged in a full-time 14-week capstone experience was a key member of the interprofessional team. The capstone required a needs assessment, which included over 20 h of observation, to understand the work tasks associated with dentistry. Under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist, the OTD student conducted 52 proactive ergonomic evaluations of each first-year dental student during simulated lab experiences in Operative Dentistry. These evaluations included a standardized risk assessment tool, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment,² and non-standardized analysis of other relevant factors. The findings were analyzed to generate individualized ergonomic reports, which included a summary of findings and recommendations to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal discomfort and injury.

In addition to individualized student evaluations and reports, the OTD student provided programmatic-level ergonomic education. After approximately 20 h of observation in the onsite dental clinic, the OTD student identified key areas for enhancing dental ergonomics education. These findings, combined with the individual ergonomic evaluations and reports from the pre-clinical simulation lab, guided the development of a comprehensive strategy to improve the dental program's ergonomic curriculum. The first step involved creating and disseminating an educational handout on preventative stretching and exercises tailored to dentistry. Additionally, the OTD student produced an audiovisual presentation demonstrating proper seated posture and the optimal utilization of adjustable features of the dental chairs available in the clinic and lab for ongoing use. Furthermore, the team collaborated on developing a multimedia e-learning module addressing prevalent ergonomic risks and musculoskeletal discomfort experienced by dental professionals, alongside dentistry-specific best practices. This e-module was funded by the University's Office of Interactive E-Learning and will be integrated into the curriculum of first-year dental students, with public access provided online.³

This interprofessional collaboration between dentistry and occupational therapy benefitted both programs. It provided experiential learning for an OTD student and enhanced the ergonomic curriculum within the dental program. Individualized ergonomic evaluations and reports were provided to all 52 first-year dental students. Anecdotal evidence indicates increased postural awareness. Furthermore, generalized ergonomic educational material, including a public and freely available e-learning module, was created and will be integrated into the dental program's curriculum. Lastly, the data collected through the ergonomic assessments will be used in future research to train dental students in ergonomics.