Ergonomics and dentistry

Abstract

Since 1992 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been preparing Federal legislation concerned with ergonomic hazards in at-risk workplaces. Although multifactorial in nature, there is sufficient evidence in the scientific literature to document an association between the practice of dentistry and a variety of musculoskeletal disorders. There are preventive strategies already known and available to us. Should dentistry be considered an at-risk profession and be required to comply with the forthcoming standard, or is self-monitoring sufficient?