Abstract
Ergonomics is the scientific study of people and their working environment. Dentistry is a profession that generally produces various musculoskeletal disorders. If ergonomic principles are applied in the field of dentistry, it helps to prevent occupational ergonomic health hazards and provides more comfort to the dentist and patient. To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practice of ergonomics during routine dental procedures among undergraduates of Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, cross-sectional study was conducted among dental students of Tanta University during the year 2015–2016 using a predesigned selfadministered questionnaire. Knowledge, attitude, and practice were assessed by 16, 5, and 6 questions, respectively. The study included 479 dental students, of them, 291 (60.8%) were females, 359 (74.9%) were from urban areas, and 359 students (74.9%) were 22 years old and below. Only one quarter of the students had good knowledge whereas nearly half of the students (48.9%) had fair knowledge concerning ergonomics. Out of the participants, 84.8% had positive attitudes and 95.4% had poor practice of ergonomics. Only 48.9% of the studied students had fair knowledge regarding ergonomics; also 5% only of students practice it. But about 84.8% of students have a positive attitude towards studying ergonomics. Dental students need to ensure involving ergonomics in the routine dental practice. This may be achieved via addition of ergonomics in their curriculum.
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Written approval to implement the study in the dental hospital was obtained from the head of the institution to ensure maximum cooperation.
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Subjects were informed about the purpose and procedures of the study and benefits of sharing it. Oral consent and approval were obtained from each subject to participate in the study and those who refused participation were excluded. Confidentiality and privacy were guaranteed during the whole period of the study. Approval of the ethical committee of Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, was obtained before starting the study.
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El-sallamy, R.M., Atlam, S.A., Kabbash, I. et al. Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards ergonomics among undergraduates of Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, Egypt. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 30793–30801 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8615-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8615-3