LO 1 B Flashcards
______ is the applied science concerned with the fit between people, their technological tools, and their environment
Ergonomics - makes products and tasks more efficient and comfortable for users
What is the goal of ergonomics?
For equipment to fit the user, not the other way around
Why are ergonomics important?
- Minimizes occupational health risks
- Increases long term health and wellness
- Provides client comfort and safety in DH appointments
What are musculoskeletal disorders?
Conditions where parts of the musculoskeletal system (muscles, tendons, nerves) or supporting structures (intervertebral discs) are injured over time
What are examples of ergonomic hazards for dental hygienists?
- Awkward posture - aim for neutral (back, shoulders, wrists)
- Static postures - need to move around when possible
- Force - excessive pinching or gripping of instrument can cause issues
- Repetitive movements - defined as same movement for 50%+ of work cycle
What are common musculoskeletal disorders for dental hygienists?
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- De quervain syndrome
- Thoracic outlet compression
- Rotator cuff tendonitis
- Low back pain
What is carpel tunnel syndrome?
- Painful disorder if wrist and hand caused by compression of the median nerve .
- Will experience numbness or pain in the thumb, index, middle, and 1/2 of ring finger
- Nocturnal pain in hands and forearms
- Daytime stiffness
- Loss of strength in hands
- Cold fingers
What are the dental hygiene-related causes of carpal tunnel syndrome?
- Pinch gripping an instrument without resting muscles
- Repeatedly bending hand down, up or from side to side at the wrist
- Wearing gloves that are too tight
- Pregnancy or arthritis
What is de quervain syndrome?
- Painful inflammation of tendons in side of wrist and base of thumb
- Pain, swelling and inflammation on thumb and side of wrist
- Made worse with grasping and twisting activities
- Occassional catching or snapping when moving the thumb
What causes de quervain syndrome?
- Repetitive motion combining hand twisting and tightly gripping
- Prolonged ulner deviation (hand off to the side like a wave)
What is thoracic outlet compression?
A painful disorder of the shoulder, arm, hand, and wrist due to the compression of the nerves, arteries, and veins as they pass from the neck to arm (thoracic outlet)
What are the signs and symptoms of thoracic outlet compression?
- Pain/ tingling/ weakness in the shoulder and arm (especially when raising)
- Muscle weakness/ fatigue
- Headaches in back of head
What are the causes of thoracic outlet compression?
- Poor posture - tilting head forward/ hunching shoulders
- Continuously reaching overhead
What is rotator cuff tendonitis?
- Painful inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder region
- Signs include, pain in front or side of shoulder joint and impaired joint function
- Made worse with activity
What are the causes of rotator cuff tendonitis?
- Holding the elbow above waist level
- Holding upper arm away from the body
What is tension neck syndrome?
- Inflammation in the cervical part of the trapezius muscle
- One of the most frequently diagnosed MSDs among RDHs