Research & Resources
Lin K, Wink C, Dolan B, Osann K, Habib AA, Gehrig J, Wilder-Smith P. A Novel Ergonomic Curette Design Reduces Dental Prophylaxis-Induced Muscle Work and Fatigue. Dent J. 2023 Nov 28;11(12):272. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/dj11120272. PMID: 38132410; PMCID: PMC10742551. AbstractBackground: To compare fatigue, comfort, and muscle work associated with the use of two periodontal curettes during scaling: one with a novel adaptive design, the other with a conventional non-adaptive design. Methods: Twelve hygienists scaled a typodont using two Universal Barnhart 5/6 curettes: (1) a prototype featuring an adaptive silicone-covered handle (Curette A), and (2) a stainless-steel curette (Curette B). Surface Electromyography (sEMG) traced muscle work. Hand positions, fatigue, comfort, pinch, and grasp strength were recorded. Paired t-tests and a repeated measures ANOVA with covariates were tested for differences. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: Curette A performed significantly better in all categories. Pinch and grasp strength and fatigue were significantly reduced post-instrumentation for Curette B. Curette A required significantly less (i) total muscle work and (ii) work in individual muscles. Comfort, correct grasp, and blade adaptation were significantly better using Curette A. Conclusions: A curette featuring a novel adaptive handle design demonstrated significantly improved ergonomic performance. Additional clinical studies are needed to solidify our understanding of the potential short- and long-term benefits of the novel curette handle design. Practical Implications: A novel adaptive curette handle design that enables the clinician to adapt the instrument across the index finger may reduce musculoskeletal burden and fatigue, as well as improve comfort during periodontal instrumentation.
Wink C, Lin K, Dolan BE, Osann K, Habib AA, Wilder-Smith P. Evaluating the Ergonomic Performance of a Novel Periodontal Curette with Adaptive Handle Design. Hygiene. 2024; 4(2):164-177. https://doi.org/10.3390/hygiene4020013Abstract(1) Background: Periodontal instrumentation with dental curettes is associated with discomfort, fatigue, and musculoskeletal diseases. The goal of this study was to compare comfort, fatigue, and muscle work using three different curettes. (2) Methods: Eight hygienists each scaled three typodonts using the three different curettes. Curette A was a prototype with a novel adaptive design, Curette B had a conventional stainless-steel design, and Curette C featured a conventional silicon-covered handle. Time-based work in four muscles, comfort, fatigue, tactile feedback, grip and blade position, and pinch and grasp strength were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using a General Linear Model (GLIM) and Tukey’s post hoc test. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. (3) Results: Comfort, correct grasp, fingertip placement, and blade-to-tooth adaptation were significantly better with Curette A (p < 0.05). While pinch and grasp strength were significantly reduced post-instrumentation for Curettes B and C (p < 0.05), they remained unchanged for Curette A. Curette A required significantly less total muscle work and work in individual muscles, resulting in significantly less post-instrumentation fatigue than for Curettes B and C, but similar levels of tactile feedback (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: The ergonomic performance of a prototype adaptive periodontal curette was significantly better than that of two conventional instruments with rigid handle designs.
Wink C. Adaptive Handle Design May Provide Ergonomic Benefits. RDH. June 2024 https://digital.rdhmag.com/rdhmag/202406/MobilePagedReplica.action?pm=2&folio=48#pg50SummaryThe researchers concluded that the ergonomic performance of a dental curette can be improved considerably beyond the benefits provided by a softer, larger diameter instrument handle by replacing the conventional rigid handle with an adaptive handle design which allows the instrument to align closely with each user’s anatomical hand shape.