Winner of the NES’ prize 2012

Motivation NES Conference Award 2012

Public Dental Services in Västra Götaland is being given NES Conference Award for its efforts to improve working life conditions for dentists and dental hygienists. There are numerous studies showing that 60-70% of in their line of work have problem in the neck and shoulder area. Joseph Wouters, a Dutch scientist and specialist in ergonomics for dentists, had an idea that prism glasses could be part of the solution to the problem. He cooperated with Multilens AB and its subsidiary in Sweden, Optergo, developed these glasses to be used in conjunction with a concept which included instructions on load ergonomics, the creation of a knowledge center with specially trained optometrists, and monitoring. Public Dental Service invested in this concept and to evaluate the effects of the investment they carried out a scientific study in collaboration with the Institute for Stress Medicine, the occupational health services Hälsan & Arbetslivet, and Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Lund University Hospital. The results show clear ergonomic improvements and Public Dental Service will allocate resources to half of the 1280 staff dentists and dental hygienists will be offered the opportunity of ergonomic advice and prism glasses. Meanwhile they continue their studies to evaluate long-term effects. This way of linking occupational health, researchers and daring to embark on a new, innovative enterprise to give employees a sustainable working life should be rewarded.

For more information please contact:

Project Manager Per Johan Pettersson perjohan@meridentoptergo.com, +46 705 211 814

Ergonom Magdalena Gustafsson magdalena@meridentoptergo.com , +46703100939