Assessment of an Ergonomics Interventional Educational Program on Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Behavior among a Group of Egyptian Dental Students

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecturer, Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health Department, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Future University in Egypt.

2 Lecturer, Conservative Dentistry Department, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Future University in Egypt.

Abstract

Oral and Dental Medicine is a profession where clinically, operational skill is restricted to an area covering only a few tens of millimeters (the mouth) and requires repeated, precise force application while delivering oral health. Ergonomic is the science dealing with people and their working environment, but evaluation of ergonomics’ awareness is minimal among dentists.
Aim: To assess the effect of an ergonomics interventional educational program on knowledge, attitude, practice and behavior among a group of Egyptian dental students.
Subjects and Methods: In an interventional study, 40 right-handed dental students aged 20–25 years were educated and assessed on ergonomics in dentistry. The participants were requested to fill out a questionnaire about ergonomics before and after the interventional educational program.
Statistical analysis: Data were explored for normality using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests, data showed non-parametric (not-normal) distribution. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare between two groups in non-related samples. Wilcoxon test was used to compare between two groups in related samples. Spearman test was used to test correlation between variables.
Results: There was a statistically significant difference between (Before) and (After) groups where (p<0.001) regarding each of knowledge, attitude and practice in both females and males. Conclusions: The ergonomic educational program was effective in the promotion of knowledge, attitude and practice of dental students in relation to working body posture.

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