Longitudinal effects of utilising photography on the accuracy of ergonomic self‐assessments amongst dental hygiene students

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the longitudinal effects of feedback involving photography and self‐assessment on the accuracy of ergonomic self‐assessments and ergonomic scores amongst dental hygiene students. Materials and methods The study involved an experimental design. Data collection took place over 4 months, divided into weeks 1‐4 and after 3 months. At weeks 1 through 4 and 3 months, all participants completed ergonomic self‐evaluations, using a Modified‐Dental Operator Posture Assessment Instrument. At week 1, week 4 and 3 months, all participants were photographed, and in weeks 2 and 3, only participants in the training group were photographed and used those photographs to complete ergonomic self‐assessments. All participants' photographs were evaluated by three faculty raters. Results A mixed‐design ANOVA of Kappa coefficient values between student and rater scores measured the effects of the feedback with photography on the accuracy of student self‐assessments. A main effect for group was not found to be significant ( F (1,30) = 2.90, P  = .101). A mixed‐design ANOVA measured the effects of the feedback with photography on the ergonomic scores. No significant main effects were found ( F (1,120) = 1.55, P  = .216). Conclusion Although self‐assessment utilising photographs resulted in initial improvements in the accuracy of ergonomic self‐assessments and ergonomic scores after 4 weeks, both ergonomic accuracy and scores significantly decreased after 3 months. Improvement in ergonomic accuracy and scores may be sustained by the continual facilitated use of photographs and self‐assessment by dental and dental hygiene educators.