Musculoskeletal symptoms in New South Wales dentists

Abstract

This study describes the prevalence and distribution of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders occurring in New South Wales dentists and investigates the relationship between these symptoms and work practices. Four hundred and forty two members of the Australian Dental Association (New South Wa l e s Branch), were randomly selected and sent questionnaires. Eighty per cent (n=355) responded. No significant differences in reported symptoms were found when considering age, experience, handedness, operating position or period of working without a break. Eighty-two per cent of the respondents reported experiencing one or more musculoskeletal symptoms during the previous month. Sixty-four per cent of the sample reported suffering pain (the majority reported back pain) and 58 per cent headaches. Most severe symptoms reported were pain (39%) and headaches (25%). Those in the youngest age category of less than 35 years (26%), were significantly more likely to have headaches ( 2 4df p<0.05). Female dentists were more likely to rate the severity of their most severe symptom higher ( 2 1df p<0.05), and to report more frequent pain ( 2 2df p<0.05) and headaches ( 2 2df p<0.05). Those practising four-handed dentistry were significantly more likely to be in the 35-44 age range ( 2 4df p<0.01), to work for longer periods before taking a 10-minute break ( 2 5df p<0.05) and to report frequent pain ( 2 2df p<0.05). The results support the findings of previous studies conducted overseas but additional information about musculoskeletal symptoms in this occupational group has been identified.

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.…”

“…1 Dentistry, particularly general dentistry, is considered to be one of the highestrisk professions for developing these problems, primarily due to high visual demands that result in prolonged static positions being adopted by clinicians, with movements being limited to the hand and wrist. 2 A number of other factors have also been cited as contributing to the development of musculoskeletal pain including: sub-optimal lighting, genetic predisposition, Objective Limited data exist on musculoskeletal problems within dental students: we aimed to determine the prevalence of these disorders.…”

Practice patterns and their influence on prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among Indian dentists

“…Marshall reported that 82% of their study population experienced one or more symptoms in the previous month. 7 Similar findings were also seen in a study on 430 Polish dentists where 37.3% of respondents experienced 3-4 symptoms and 29.1% experienced 5 or more symptoms and in a study on dentists in Greece where 35% of respondents experienced 2 symptoms, 15% experienced 3 symptoms and 6 % experienced 4 symptoms. 9,18 Univariate analysis of the number of symptoms in the respondents showed a mean of 1.633 symptoms with a standard deviation of 1.034.…”

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

“…Marshall reported that 82% of their study population experienced one or more symptoms in the previous month. 7 Similar findings were also seen in a study on 430 Polish dentists where 37.3% of respondents experienced 3-4 symptoms and 29.1% experienced 5 or more symptoms 9 and in a study on dentists in Greece where 35% of respondents experienced 2 symptoms, 15% experienced 3 symptoms and 6 % experienced 4 symptoms. 18 Univariate analysis of the number of symptoms in the respondents showed a mean of 1.633 symptoms with a standard deviation of 1.034.…”