Abstract：
The dental profession is associated with occupational health problems. The working environment of a dentist is associated with ergonomic risk factors that can significantly reduce the dentist\'s working ability and even cause the termination of his/her professional activity. Numerous studies have been conducted in different countries (Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Australia, etc.) to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in dentists, though no studies related to the principles of ergonomics in dentistry have been carried out in Georgia. The study aimed to assess the ergonomics of the working environment of dentists in Tbilisi (capital city of Georgia) clinics and to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among them. An observational descriptive study was conducted in April-July 2023 in Tbilisi. A special questionnaire of 40 questions was designed based on international experience. The survey was conducted by random sampling in selected dental clinics. Dentists were asked to fill out the questionnaire during their free time between patient appointments. Those who agreed to participate were provided with electronic versions of the questionnaire. Five hundred dentists were invited to participate in the survey, of whom 314 (62.8%) agreed to fill out the questionnaire. A total of 291 fully completed questionnaires were used for the descriptive statistical analysis. Our study shows that in Tbilisi clinics dentists work on average for 5-6 days (48.8% - 6 days, 37.1% - 5 days) or 40-48 hours a week. A majority of respondents said their workplace met the requirements of ergonomics (it had a good lighting, the chair had a back, instruments could be easily reached), yet most of them rarely lean on the backrest, never or rarely use the hand rest method, and never or rarely do light physical exercise during breaks. The survey shows that 53.6% of dentists most frequently suffer from pain in the back, followed by pain in the neck (50.9%), shoulders (47.9%) and lower back (47.1%). Most of them said they had to work less because of the pain. Introduction of the principles of ergonomics in dental profession is vital for preventing occupational musculoskeletal disorders. It is important to provide continuing professional development programs and information booklets for dentists and thematic online webinars for the management of dental clinics in Georgia.
摘要：
牙科专业与职业健康问题有关。牙医的工作环境与人体工程学风险因素有关，这些因素会显著降低牙医的工作能力，甚至导致他/她的专业活动终止。在不同的国家进行了许多研究(瑞典，丹麦,德国,波兰,澳大利亚,等。)评估牙医肌肉骨骼疾病的患病率，尽管在佐治亚州没有进行与牙科人体工程学原理相关的研究。该研究旨在评估第比利斯（佐治亚州首府）诊所牙医工作环境的人体工程学，并确定其中肌肉骨骼疾病的患病率。2023年4月至7月在第比利斯进行了一项观察性描述性研究。根据国际经验设计了40个问题的特别问卷。这项调查是通过随机抽样在选定的牙科诊所进行的。要求牙医在患者预约之间的空闲时间填写问卷。同意参加的人获得了问卷的电子版。五百名牙医应邀参加了调查,其中314人(62.8%)同意填写问卷。共有291份完整的问卷用于描述性统计分析。我们的研究表明，在第比利斯诊所，牙医平均工作5-6天(48.8%-6天，37.1%-5天）或每周40-48小时。大多数受访者表示，他们的工作场所符合人体工程学的要求（照明良好，椅子有一个靠背，仪器可以很容易地到达)，然而他们中的大多数人很少靠在靠背上，从不或很少使用手休息方法，休息时从不或很少做轻度体育锻炼。调查显示，53.6%的牙医最常背部疼痛，其次是颈部疼痛（50.9%），肩部(47.9%)和下背部(47.1%)。他们中的大多数人说，由于疼痛，他们不得不减少工作。在牙科专业中引入人体工程学原理对于预防职业性肌肉骨骼疾病至关重要。重要的是为牙医提供持续的专业发展计划和信息手册，并为佐治亚州的牙科诊所管理提供主题在线网络研讨会。
