Musculoskeletal disorders and perception of working conditions: A survey of Brazilian dentists in São Paulo

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders amongst dentists who work in public clinics in São Paulo, Brazil, to investigate their awareness of the presence of risk factors in the workplace, disability due to pain, and the influence of pain on this awareness and disability. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 204 dentists who work in public health clinics in the northwest of São Paulo, Brazil. The data was collected through interviews, using the Nordic Questionnaire and the Work-Related Activities that May Contribute to Job-Related Pain Questionnaire. In the case of workers who reported pain, the Pain Disability Questionnaire (PDQ) and the Numeric Pain Scale were also administered. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 21.0. Results: Most dentists (81.4%) had musculoskeletal disorders, especially in the neck, shoulders and lower back. We found that the presence of symptoms in the neck (15.7%), shoulders (12.7%) and lower back (15.7%) were the major causes of absenteeism over the past 12 months. Occupational risk factors perceived as the most problematic ones were: bending or twisting the back in an awkward way, continuing to work when injured or hurt and working in the same position for long periods. Comparison between the symptomatic and asymptomatic dentists showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in the perception of occupational risk factors. The analysis of the intensity of pain and disability with PDQ in the symptomatic dentists showed an average pain intensity of 3.8. Mean scores of the PDQ total (11.46) and its dimensions -functional condition (7.1) and psychosocial condition (4.4) -suggest a moderate disability in the dental surgeons. There was a strong t correlation (r = 0.697) between pain intensity and the total score of disability caused by pain. Conclusions: Pain and work-related musculoskeletal disorders interfere significantly with the dentists' lives. In the case of dental surgeons there is a significant correlation between pain intensity and disability. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(3):367-377

Investigating the Effect of Educational Intervention on Musculoskeletal Disorders in Dentists

“…According to findings of this study, 86.9% of dentists had problems in at least one of their limbs before the educational intervention. A study conducted by Ísper Garbin et al (2017) on 204 dentists [21], a study carried out by Nokhostin and Zafarmand (2016) on 600 Iranian dentists [11], a study of Munshi et al (2016) on 420 Indian dentists [22], and a study conducted by Abi Aad (2016) on 218 Lebanese dentists [23] showed prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders equal to 81.4%, 67.5%, 90.7%, and 92.7%, respectively. According to the mentioned studie that confirmed the results of each other, there is a considerable prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among dentists indicating lack of awareness of correct ergonomic principles and lack of stretching exercises between patients.…”

“…Similar results were obtained in other research. Ísper Garbin et al (2017) carried out a study on 204 dentists and reported more musculoskeletal disorders in neck, shoulders, and lower back [21]. Munshi et al (2016) carried out a study on 420 dentists and reported neck (73.8%), lower back (70%), wrist and hand (64%), and shoulders (62.4%) as the most involved parts of body [22].…”

<p>Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomic practice among dentists in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia</p>

“…During the last decade, several studies investigated the prevalence of WMSD or CTS among practicing dentists in Australia,10 Brazil,11 China,12 Czech Republic,13 India,9 Iran,14 Pakistan,8 Spain,7 Taiwan,15 and Turkey 16. Studies investigating MSD in Saudi Arabia focused either on dental students as the population of interest,17,18 or in specific regions of Saudi Arabia as Riyadh,19,20 and Hail 21.…”

The Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain of Dental Workers Employed in Slovenia

“…Work-related musculoskeletal (MS) disorders are considered one of the most frequent occupational diseases among dental workers (Hayes, Cockrell, & Smith, 2009;Melhorn, 2000). Prior studies reported the frequency of MS disorders among dental workers, ranging from 63% to 93% (Isper Garbin, Barreto Soares, Moreira Arcieri, Saliba Garbin, & Siqueira, 2017;Nasl Saraji, Hosseini, Shahtaheri, Golbabaei, & Ghasemkhani, 2005;Rabei, Shakiba, Shahreza, & Talebzadeh, 2011). MS disorders are defined as inflammatory and degenerative diseases or disorders of muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, bones, and joints that can result in pain (Hayes et al, 2009;Melhorn, 2000).…”