Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2023

DOI

10.1111/idh.12649

Publication Title

International Journal of Dental Hygiene

Volume

21

Issue

3

Pages

514-523

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this review was to examine the impact of instrument designs on pinch force generation during scaling by dental professionals.

Methods

Three databases were utilized from September 2019 to November 2021 in addition to hand-searching specific journals and reference lists. Research articles that examined pinch force generation in dental professionals during scaling with manual instruments only were included. Bias was assessed in the individual articles.

Results

Six research articles were included with sample populations that varied from 12 to 24 participants. Four articles evaluated instrument designs in relation to pinch force generation during scaling by dental professionals. Two articles evaluated the clinicians' experience levels and the impact on pinch force generation. Results of three articles revealed instruments with large diameters and low weights produced the least amount of pinch force (p < 0.05). Additionally, two articles found instruments with a round, tapered shape produced less pinch force and instrument handles made of silicone produced higher pinch strength post-scaling (p < 0.05). One study indicated instrument designs associated with modified scaling techniques may reduce thumb and index finger pinch force (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The findings from this review indicate weak evidence for instrument choices to reduce pinch force during scaling. Dental professionals should consider lightweight and large diameter instruments for manual scaling. Clinicians may also want to consider round, tapered handles and instrument designs with modified scaling techniques. This systematic review further identified the need for clinical research studies with rigorous research designs that examine the ergonomic impacts of instrument designs.

Rights

© 2023 The Authors.

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made

Original Publication Citation

Suedbeck, J. R., & Ludwig, E. A. (2023). Pinch force generation during scaling by dental professionals: A systematic review. International Journal of Dental Hygiene, 21(3), 514-523. https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.12649

ORCID

0000-0001-7681-8042 (Suedbeck), 0000-0002-3275-059X (Ludwig)

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