Evaluation of muscular activity, local muscular fatigue, and muscular rest patterns among dentists.

In a previous study, dentists reported very high scores for perceived physical workload, but only low to moderate scores for the musculoskeletal system. This is difficult to explain when other occupational groups in the dental services are compared, and is the main reason why the present study was performed. To measure muscular activity, a surface electromyography (sEMG) study was done, and included the subjects who reported neck and shoulder complaints in the previous study. A portable sEMG system (MyoGuard) was used to collect a myoelectric signal on-line and analysis of the myoelectric signal in a computer. sEMG was recorded from both trapezius muscles for approximately 4 h during an ordinary working day. Twenty-seven dentists participated in the study. The results show accumulated rest% fairly close to that of female cashiers and supermarket employees and increased average rectified value percent (ARV%) during work that could contribute to the very high workload perceived by dentists.