Kim J, Park B Y, Mun S J, Shim J, Choi E S, Noh H. Int J Dent Hyg 2018; 10.1111/idh.12375 [Epub ahead of print].

Effects of working posture, physical balance and work accumulation on shifts in plantar pressure in dental hygienists were analysed. Twenty-four dental hygienists were included. The ergonomic assessment method of the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) was used to evaluate working posture and a Gait Analyser was used to measure plantar pressure. The subjects' mean REBA score was 5 ± 1 and 88% of the subjects showed poor working posture, with a REBA score of at least four points. Among those with a REBA score of four points or more, seven of the eight parts of the sole of the foot showed significant differences in plantar pressure between right and left feet. When changes in plantar pressure over a week were examined, pressure increased on the left side. Subjects with poor posture at a level requiring intervention showed differences in plantar pressure between right and left feet. Inappropriate posture can cause musculoskeletal disorders and the authors suggest the need for internal and external measures to maintain proper working posture, including education, exercise, improvement of the working environment and ergonomic equipment.