Comparison of dental ergonomics knowledge levels between second-year and final-year preclinical dentistry students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30989/mik.v14i3.1956Keywords:
dental ergonomics, dental students, knowledge, musculoskeletal disorders (msds)Abstract
Background: Dental ergonomics plays a crucial role in preventing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among dental professionals, including dental students who are beginning clinical practice. Studies from 2020–2025 indicate that although students possess basic ergonomic knowledge, its practical application remains low and MSD complaints are still prevalent, highlighting the need to examine differences in knowledge across educational stages.
Objective: To assess and compare dental ergonomics knowledge between second-year and final-year dental students.
Methods: This comparative analytical study with a cross-sectional design was conducted from January to April 2025 using a validated and reliable ergonomics knowledge questionnaire. Samples were selected through stratified random sampling from eligible second-year and final-year students. Data were analysed using the Mann-Whitney test.
Results: A total of 158 students participated. The instrument demonstrated strong validity and reliability. As the data were not normally distributed, non-parametric analysis was applied. A significant difference in knowledge levels was found between the two groups (p = 0.035), with final-year students scoring higher.
Conclusion: Dental ergonomics knowledge differed significantly by academic level, suggesting that longer academic exposure and preclinical experience contribute to improved understanding of ergonomics.
References
1. Bhayat A. The Ergonomic Knowledge and Practice of Dental Students in a Tertiary Institution in South Africa. 2022;2022.
2. Tysi M. The Knowledge and Attitude of Undergraduate Dental Students toward Dental Ergonomic Principles in Occupational Health. 2024;
3. Akbar FH. Knowledge regarding dental ergonomics and the occurence of musculoskeletal disorders in students at Hasanuddin University Dental Hospital , Indonesia Pengetahuan tentang ergonomik dental dan terjadinya gangguan musculoskeletal pada mahasiswa di Rumah Sakit Gigi Mulut Universitas Hasanuddin , Indonesia. :14–9.
4. Sangalli L, Alabsy M, Lingle D, Alessandri-Bonetti A, C Mitchel J. Assessment of dental ergonomics among dental students: A retrospective study. Journal of Dental Education. 2023;87(11):1559–69.
5. Anggraini W, Ranggaini D, Ariyani AP. World Trends in Dental Ergonomics Research : A Bibliometric Analysis. 2024;
6. Alsahiem J, Alghamdi S, Alqahtani R, Jardan L Bin, Almadani D. Musculoskeletal disorders among dental students : a survey from Saudi Arabia. 2023;1–12.
7. Sezer B, Kartal S, Sıddıkoğlu D, Kargül B. Association between work-related musculoskeletal symptoms and quality of life among dental students : a cross-sectional study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2022;1–9.
8. Gandolfi MG, Zamparini F, Spinelli A, Risi A, Prati C. Musculoskeletal Disorders among Italian Dentists and Dental Hygienists. 2021;1–20.
9. Ohlendorf D, Naser A, Haas Y, Haenel J, Fraeulin L, Holzgreve F, et al. Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Dentists and Dental Students in Germany. :1–19.
10. Tavares D, Alves PM. Heliyon Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among dental students : A systematic review and meta-analysis. 2023;9(August).
11. Lin S. Effectiveness of participatory ergonomic interventions on musculoskeletal disorders and work ability among young dental professionals : A cluster- ¬ randomized controlled trail. 2022;(January):1–11.
12. Santos W, Rojas C, Isidoro R, Lorente A, Dias A, Mariscal G, et al. Efficacy of Ergonomic Interventions on Work-Related Musculoskeletal Pain : A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. 2025;
13. Article O. Evaluating Ergonomic Awareness in Dentistry: A Survey of Dental Students’ Knowledge During Operative Procedures. 2025;4522–4.
14. Widiasih N, Wiguna T, Purwadianto A, Soemantri D, Indriatmi W, Kristi E, et al. Heliyon Translation , validity and reliability of decision style scale in forensic psychiatric setting in Indonesia. Heliyon. 2022;8(June):e09810.
15. Almeida MB De, Alves PM, Oliveira R. Work related musculoskeletal disorders among dental students : a cross sectional study integrating the pain adaptation model. Journal of Public Health. 2025;33(12):2709–16.
16. Talpos-niculescu IC, Farkas AZ, Lungeanu D, Arge V. Perception and Knowledge of Dental Ergonomics among Romanian Dental Students. 2022;
17. Araújo MS, Luis A, Cantanhede C, Furtado GS, Meira D, Marques C. Evaluation of knowledge and application towards ergonomic principles among undergraduate dental students Avaliação do conhecimento e aplicação dos princípios ergonômicos entre alunos de graduação em odontologia Evaluación de conocimientos y aplicación de principios ergonómicos en estudiantes de odontología. 2021;2021:1–9.
18. Inertial U, Capture S based M, Simon S, Laurendi L, Meining J, Dully J, et al. Measuring the Effect of an Ergonomic Lecture on the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment Scores of Dental Assistant Students Controlled Study. 2024;
19. Lin S. Effectiveness of participatory ergonomic interventions on musculoskeletal disorders and work ability among young dental professionals : A cluster- ¬ randomized controlled trail. 2022;(March):1–11.
20. Green LW, Kreuter MW. Health program planning: an educational and ecological approach. 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2005.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 MEDIA ILMU KESEHATAN
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Articles received and published by the Media Ilmu Kesehatan are by the publication, the copyright of the article is fully transferred to the Media Ilmu Kesehatan. All operational forms such as printing, publication, and distribution of hard file journals are carried out by the Media Ilmu Kesehatan. Articles that have finished the review process and have been declared accepted by the journal manager or editor will be asked to fill out a statement of submission of copyright by the journal secretary to the main author or correspondent author. The statement of transfer of copyright is signed with a seal and sent via email to journalmik2018@gmail.com and contacted the admin of the journal to be followed up on archiving. Journal managers and editors have the right to edit the manuscript according to the provisions of the writing rules in the Media Ilmu Kesehatan.
Articles that have been declared accepted either online through the author's account on the OJS website https://ejournal.unjaya.ac.id/index.php/mik or a letter of receipt of the article (LOA), as well as those that have been published on OJS are not allowed to be published in other journals, or proceedings. The number of authors with more than one and as the main author or designated as the correspondent writer must have coordinated with members of the research team. The order of the authors submitted in the article as the author of one, two, three and so on cannot be changed when the article is published unless an error occurs in the technical operation of the journal.
