Biomaterial Database

Cumulative trauma disorders: an ergonomic approach for prevention. 1997

S T Liskiewicz, and W E Kerschbaum

School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.

Clinical practice can place the dental hygienist at risk of acquiring cumulative trauma disorders (CTD). This article describes causative factors of CTD and suggests implementation of ergonomic intervention--by way of clinical and environmental factors--as a method of preventing and/or reducing CTD in the workplace. Included is a chronology of the rehabilitation process of a dental hygienist who has been disabled by CTD. Observing this clinician's re-training process, which included utilizing an ergonomically designed operator chair, arm and wrist supports, and modification of operator positioning, prompted an investigation into strategies to prevent CTD. Ergonomic design and protective operator techniques in dental hygiene practice may be key to preventing and/or reducing CTD occurrence.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007374	Interior Design and Furnishings	The planning of the furnishings and decorations of an architectural interior.	Furniture,Interior Furnishings,Interior Design,Design, Interior,Designs, Interior,Furnishing, Interior,Furnishings, Interior,Interior Designs,Interior Furnishing
D009784	Occupational Diseases	Diseases caused by factors involved in one's employment.	Diseases, Occupational,Occupational Illnesses,Disease, Occupational,Illnesse, Occupational,Illnesses, Occupational,Occupational Disease,Occupational Illnesse
D011187	Posture	The position or physical attitude of the body.	Postures
D012090	Cumulative Trauma Disorders	Harmful and painful condition caused by overuse or overexertion of some part of the musculoskeletal system, often resulting from work-related physical activities. It is characterized by inflammation, pain, or dysfunction of the involved joints, bones, ligaments, and nerves.	Overuse Syndrome,Repetition Strain Injury,Trauma Disorders, Cumulative,Injury, Repetition Strain,Overuse Injury,Repetitive Motion Disorders,Repetitive Strain Injury,Repetitive Stress Injury,Strain Injury, Repetition,Cumulative Trauma Disorder,Injury, Overuse,Injury, Repetitive Strain,Injury, Repetitive Stress,Motion Disorder, Repetitive,Overuse Injuries,Overuse Syndromes,Repetition Strain Injuries,Repetitive Motion Disorder,Repetitive Strain Injuries,Repetitive Stress Injuries,Strain Injury, Repetitive,Stress Injury, Repetitive,Trauma Disorder, Cumulative
D003748	Dental Equipment	The nonexpendable items used by the dentist or dental staff in the performance of professional duties. (From Boucher's Clinical Dental Terminology, 4th ed, p106)	Equipment, Dental,Dental Equipments,Equipments, Dental
D003756	Dental Hygienists	Persons trained in an accredited school or dental college and licensed by the state in which they reside to provide dental prophylaxis under the direction of a licensed dentist.	Dental Hygienist,Hygienist, Dental,Hygienists, Dental
D004867	Equipment Design	Methods and patterns of fabricating machines and related hardware.	Design, Equipment,Device Design,Medical Device Design,Design, Medical Device,Designs, Medical Device,Device Design, Medical,Device Designs, Medical,Medical Device Designs,Design, Device,Designs, Device,Designs, Equipment,Device Designs,Equipment Designs
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006804	Ergonomics	The science of designing, building or equipping mechanical devices or artificial environments to the anthropometric, physiological, or psychological requirements of the people who will use them.	Engineering Psychology,Human Engineering,Cognitive Ergonomics,Ergonomic Assessment,Human Factors Engineering,Human Factors and Ergonomics,Organizational Ergonomics,Physical Ergonomics,Psychology, Engineering,Visual Ergonomics,Cognitive Ergonomic,Ergonomic,Ergonomic Assessments,Ergonomic, Cognitive,Ergonomic, Organizational,Ergonomic, Physical,Ergonomic, Visual,Ergonomics, Cognitive,Ergonomics, Organizational,Ergonomics, Physical,Ergonomics, Visual,Human Factors Engineerings,Organizational Ergonomic,Physical Ergonomic,Visual Ergonomic