A systematic review of musculoskeletal disorders among dental professionals

Abstract

Musculoskeletal problems have become a significant issue for the profession of dentistry and dental hygiene. This review provides a detailed examination and discussion regarding the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in dental personnel and possible causative factors. All research studies or literature reviews, which have reported on the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and/or potential risk factors for this problem in dentists, dental hygienists and dental students, were selected for inclusion. Our literature suggests that the prevalence of general musculoskeletal pain ranges between 64% and 93%. The most prevalent regions for pain in dentists have been shown to be the back (36.3-60.1%) and neck (19.8-85%), while the hand and wrist regions were the most prevalent regions for dental hygienists (60-69.5%). Interestingly, we found that studies on MSDs among dental and dental hygiene students are quite limited. Many risk factors have been identified, including static and awkward posture and work practices. Overall, the review suggests that musculoskeletal problems represent a significant burden for the dental profession. More research in the form of larger studies is urgently required, to help more clearly elucidate the development of this important issue for dental hygienists and dental hygiene students.

Musculoskeletal neck and back pain in undergraduate dental students at a UK dental school — a cross-sectional study

“…of respondents, %) Neck 70 (18) 14 (16) 9 (11) 13 (28) 18 (21) 16 (18) Upper back 77 (20) 14 (16) 8 (10) 12 (26) 25 (30) 18 (21) Lower back 85 (22) 17 (19) 13 (16) 11 (24) 24 (29) 20 (23) undergraduate dental students. The reported prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in this study (79%) is in line with similar studies for both dentists, ranging from 64%-93%, 1,5,11,12 and dental students, ranging from 46%-86%. [13][14][15] Rising et al 13 reported that there was a significant year-by-year increase of a perception that dental procedures aggravate musculoskeletal pain amongst dental students from California.…”

“…The modified Nordic questionnaire used in this study is considered to be an acceptable method to measure the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, 5 and has been used in a number of other similar studies. [15][16][17] As participants of this study provided self-reported information there is the potential for bias, and it could be suggested that more accurate results could be obtained by using physical examinations and assessments.…”

Mechanical exposure among general practice dentists in Sweden and possible implications of rationalisation

“…Furthermore, considering the angular velocities of the right upper arm, both the very low angular velocities for dentists in the present study (8.68/s), and the high angular velocities for assembly workers (52.08/s) seem to be associated with a high prevalence of WMSD in the shoulder/neck region (Christmansson et al 2002, Alexopoulos et al 2004, Dong et al 2007, Hayes et al 2009). For car disassembly workers, the angular velocity was 218/s and the prevalence of WMSD in the shoulder/neck region seemed to be modest (Kazmierczak 2005).…”

“…A high prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints is especially found in the shoulder/neck and the back (Alexopoulos et al 2004, Dong et al 2007, Hayes et al 2009). Many studies within the health care sector indicate that physical and mental health problems are partly related to the comprehensive rationalisation when implementing new public management (NPM) and human resource management (HRM) (Winkel and Westgaard 1996, Bejerot et al 1999, Westgaard and Winkel 2011.…”

Prevalence and Statistical Analysis of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Academicians From Higher Education

“…There is a strong interplay between work related joint disorders with personal and physiological factors in genesis of joint impairment and disability ( Figure 1) [3]. Research has been conducted on the prevalence and physical risk factors of workrelated musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among occupations such as agriculture workers, office workers, school teachers, and health care professionals [4][5][6][7]. However, a paucity of research exists on the patterns and physical risk factors of WMSDs among the academicians in a higher learning institution.…”