A study on the influence of ergonomics on the prevalence of chronic pain disorders among dentists

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONThe World Health Organization has characterized "workrelated" diseases as multi-factorial to indicate that a number of risk factors (e.g., physical, work organizational, psychosocial, individual, and sociocultural) contribute to causing these diseases. 1 Other factors include poor positioning, genetic predisposition, mental stress, physical conditioning and age-related degeneration. [2][3][4] The term-Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)-refers to conditions that involve the nerves, tendons, muscles and supporting structures of the body. There is strong evidence that extreme posture during work and high levels of static contraction cause neck pain. There is also some evidence to suggest repetitive movements cause neck pain, shoulder pain and hand and wrist disorders. 5 Dentists are prone for musculoskeletal disorders especially neck and back pain owing to the following risk factors as a part of their practice-repetitive movements, maintenance of awkward body postures for a long time-ABSTRACT Background: Dentists are prone for chronic pain especially neck and back pain owing to the following risk factors as a part of their practice-repetitive movements, maintenance of awkward body postures for a long time and tasks that require fine motor skills and close visual focus. The term -Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), which result from poor ergonomics, refers to conditions that involve the nerves, tendons, muscles and supporting structures of the body. Methods: 248 dentists in Bangalore were asked to respond to a questionnaire about their practice pattern (years of practice, hours of work, specialization, two-handed/four handed dentistry, use of magnifications etc), their general lifestyle including exercise, fitness patterns, prevalence of MSDs and their general awareness regarding MSDs. The responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, univariate analysis and Chi-square tests. Results: In our study 95.16% (n=236) and 90.32% (n=224) respondents reported MSDs in the past and in the previous 12 months of the study respectively. 54.84% (n=136) reported at least one episode of backache, 51.61% (n=128) reported neck pain, 19.35% (n=48) reported pain in the shoulder and 32.25% (n=80) reported pain in the wrist and/or hand in the previous 12 months. Our study found considerable influence of the hours of work, use of assistant and magnification on Backache, Neck pain and wrist/hand pain. Conclusions: Work-related pain being common and multifactorial, any possible solution should also be multifactorial and can be managed effectively using a multifaceted approach and the strategies for prevention and care are also discussed.

A Qualitative Look at Faculty Perspectives on Ergonomics in Dental Education

“…Musculoskeletal disorders have plagued the dental profession for many years. Literature reports that a majority of dental professionals suffer from some form of WMSDs, which can negatively impact the dental workforce (Al-Mohrej et al, 2016;Hayes, Cockrell, & Smith, 2009;Kalappa & Shankar, 2017;Ng et al, 2016;& Valachi, 2008). There is evidence to support the development of MSDs among dental students.…”

“…Ergonomics in dentistry applies to the operatory design and layout, operator chair, instrument selection, and patient positioning (Valachi, 2008). Several studies have found that dentists commonly experience musculoskeletal pain in the lower back, neck, and shoulders (Gopinadh et al, 2013;Kalappa & Shankar, 2017;El-sallamy et al, 2017;Lin et al, 2012). Approximately two out of three dental professionals and 70% of dental students reported experiencing some form of musculoskeletal pain (Katrova, 2017;Valachi, 2008).…”

“…In (Gopinadh et al, 2013). Kalappa and Shankar (2017) requested participation from 248 dentists in Bangalore, India to assess the prevalence of MSDs, work habits, and general awareness of MSDs. The work habits included years of practice, workday hours, specialists, two or four-handed dentistry, and exercise routines.…”

“…The work habits included years of practice, workday hours, specialists, two or four-handed dentistry, and exercise routines. Kalappa and Shankar (2017) reported 90.32% (n=224) of the participants experienced MSDs in the year prior to the study. Among the assessed population, musculoskeletal pain was experienced in the back, 51.61% (n=128), neck, 19.35% (n=48), and shoulder, 32.25% (n=80).…”

The Most Important Risk Factors Affecting the Physical Health of Orthodontists: A Pilot Study

“…Sci. 2022, 12, 1087 2 of 7 postures for long periods of static postures, and tasks that require fine motor skills and close visual focus [12].…”