Mendeley  

Zotero  

Jafari Kafash K, Pashapour V, Babaei Pouya A, Nouri M, PourSadeghiyan M, Hekmatfar S. Awareness of Ergonomic Principles and Implementation of Asana Practices Among Dental Clinic Professions in Iran. PTJ 2025; 15 (4) :375-386
URL: http://ptj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-714-fa.html

Purpose: Musculoskeletal disorders are among the most common complications associated with dental professions. This study aims to assess awareness of ergonomic principles and the application of asana-based exercises as a preventive rehabilitation approach among dentists in dental clinics in Ardabil City, Iran.
Methods: This analytical, descriptive, cross-sectional study involved 227 participants, including clinical dental students, general dentists, and specialists in Ardabil City. Convenience sampling was used to collect data. An online questionnaire, divided into three sections, was utilized: The first section collected demographic information, the second addressed ergonomic principles related to proper postures, and the third provided images of exercises compliant with Asana principles. The results were analyzed using factor analysis and regression with SPSS software, version 21.
Results: A total of 108 students, 54 dentists, and 34 specialized dentists participated, of whom 51.5% were men and 48.5% were women. The awareness levels dental students, dentists, and specialists regarding ergonomic principles were 73.35%, 92.36%, and 71.39%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed in the mean score of awareness and the performance of asana exercises based on the clinical profession of the participants in this study (P>0.05). However, no significant relationships were observed between knowledge and gender (P=0.58), age (P=0.22), work experience, or academic term for students (P=0.28). Most participants did not engage in physical activity outside the dental clinical practice (78.9%), and no significant relationship was observed between the clinical profession and physical activity (P>0.05). 
Conclusion: Awareness of ergonomic principles and engagement rates in preventive exercises for musculoskeletal disorders among students and dentists are low. By focusing on the education of asana principles and increasing the awareness levels of dental students and dentists, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders in these individuals, thereby improving their productivity and the quality of dental services.