Vanessa Silva
The importance of ergonomics in dentistry and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders
- Dentist graduated from the Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Porto (2009)
- PhD in Occupational Safety and Health, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto
- Invited Assistant Professor of Occlusion and Ergonomics at the Faculty of Dental Medicine – UCP
- Researcher at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS)
Nationality: Portugal
Scientific areas: On Our Agenda (wear and tear profession)
Room 2
Conference summary
The practice of dentistry involves high-precision work, requires attention and concentration as well as physical and mental endurance of the dentist.
One of the most addressed topics in ergonomics applied to dentistry is working posture, as it is fundamental for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
Since the 1970s a high frequency of MSDs has been reported in dentists and the prevalence of this type of injury has increased in the last decades. It is a common cause of occupational disability with substantial consequences on productivity and work absenteeism.
Working posture is important to create optimal working conditions (access, visibility and control of the operative area) and physical and psychological conditions in order to be able to perform the clinical procedures.
One of the main aims of ergonomics is the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders as well as symptoms that can aggravate these diseases.
The practice of ergonomics in dentistry determines how to achieve the best posture for the patient, eliminating biomechanical risk factors as far as possible.
Lecturer of the session “On Our Agenda” with the title “Dental Medicine: the wear and tear of the profession”.