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The Effect of Dental Instruments Design on Grip Strength

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Proceedings of the 10th Congress of the Portuguese Society of Biomechanics (CNB 2023)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Bioengineering ((LNBE))

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Abstract

Introduction: Dentist work requires comfort and visibility, which sometimes causes an incorrect, maladjusted, and static posture, affecting mostly the upper limbs. It is due to prolonged work that oral health professionals are more susceptible to develo** musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the hand and wrist. This work involves excessive flexion positions of the wrist/hand, mechanical stress associated with instrument manipulation, and force applied during dental procedures. The propose of this study was to evaluate and analyze the variation of grip strength in dental students. We also pretend to evaluate the incidence of signs and symptoms of MSDs. Materials and Methods: A clinical dental procedure was simulated using instruments of different design on phantoms to evaluate the palmar grip. Grip strength was measured with a dynamometer. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was conducted to assess the incidence of symptoms of MSDs. Results: The most prevalent symptoms in this population were neck, lower back, and shoulder pain. During the procedure, 43 participants found the ergonomic curette more comfortable. After scra** with the metallic curette, a lower palmar grip strength was observed. Women have a higher incidence of MSDs and lower grip strength. Conclusion: After the use of ergonomic periodontal curette to root scaling, participants presented higher mean grip force (290 ± 107 N) than after the use of metal handle periodontal curette (273 ± 105 N). Instruments with a larger diameter and lower weight are more ergonomic and require less grip force. Participants should transform and improve clinical habits to promote better working conditions and decrease MSDs.

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Acknowledgements

This work is financially supported by National Funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., under the project UIDB/04279/2020.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Dental Medicine, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Health, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 3504-505, Viseu, Portugal

    Vanessa Silva & Patrícia Fonseca

  2. Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 3504-505, Viseu, Portugal

    Inês Costa

  3. ESS, Polytechnic of Porto, 4249-015, Porto, Portugal

    Pedro Monteiro & Joana Santos

Authors
  1. Vanessa Silva
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  2. Inês Costa
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  3. Patrícia Fonseca
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  4. Pedro Monteiro
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  5. Joana Santos
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vanessa Silva .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Coimbra, CEMMPRE, ARISE, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Coimbra, Portugal

    Ana Martins Amaro

  2. Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Institute of Engineering, CEMMPRE, ARISE, Coimbra, Portugal

    Luis Roseiro

  3. University of Coimbra, CEMMPRE, ARISE, Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal

    Ana Lúcia Messias

  4. University of Coimbra, CIDAF, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Coimbra, Portugal

    Beatriz Gomes

  5. Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, School of Technology and Management, CIIC, Leiria, Portugal

    Henrique Almeida

  6. Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, School of Health Sciences, Leiria, Portugal

    Maria António Castro

  7. University of Coimbra, CEMMPRE, ARISE, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Coimbra, Portugal

    Maria Augusta Neto

  8. University of Coimbra, CEMMPRE, ARISE, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Coimbra, Portugal

    Maria de Fátima Paulino

  9. University of Coimbra, CEMMPRE, ARISE, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Coimbra, Portugal

    Vítor Maranha

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Silva, V., Costa, I., Fonseca, P., Monteiro, P., Santos, J. (2023). The Effect of Dental Instruments Design on Grip Strength. In: Martins Amaro, A., et al. Proceedings of the 10th Congress of the Portuguese Society of Biomechanics. CNB 2023. Lecture Notes in Bioengineering. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-47790-4_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-47790-4_12

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-47789-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-47790-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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