Occupation-related musculoskeletal disorders among dental professionals

Abstract

Background and aim. Dentists are exposed to a wide range of work-related factors that may result in various occupational diseases of which musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of MSDs among dental professionals of our institution and to compare the prevalence of MSDs among the various dental specialists.
 Methods. A self-administered questionnaire, which included basic demographic details, work experience in dentistry, and work profile related questions along with the Standard Nordic Questionnaire, was administered to the study participants. Statistical analysis for the data obtained was performed using SPSS Version 16.0 (Chicago, SPSS Inc.). The chi-square test was applied to test the association between MSD and variables such as gender, designation, type of dentistry and usage of computers. The Mann Whitney U test was used to assess the relationship between MSD and age, experience, sick leave, number of patients attended per day. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.
 Results. 151 subjects participated in the study, and the prevalence of MSD in the last 12 months among dental professionals was 58.3% (88 out of 151 subjects). The most common site affected by MSD was the neck (66.7%). Also, it was noted that among various dental specialists, the Endodontists suffered the maximum (88.02%) musculoskeletal pain. Fifty individuals (33.11%) suffered from pain in multiple sites.
 Conclusion. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and pain can be reduced through proper operator-patient positioning, taking adequate breaks between patients, maintaining good physical health through regular exercises.

The Development of Musculoskeletal Disorders during Undergraduate Dentistry Studies—A Long-Term Prospective Study

“…There is broad evidence of an association between work-related MSDs [ 2 ] and the dentistry profession [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. The occurrence of MSDs among dentists varies between 47% and 93% in different studies [ 3 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Several studies among dentistry students showed the early onset of MSDs even during the undergraduate studies, where the occurrence ranged from 39% to 93% [ 8 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”

“…However, these studies compared actual students in different years of dentistry studies. In all the studies, women suffered from MSDs more often than men [ 3 , 8 , 9 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 20 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. The most frequent areas of pain are neck, lower back, shoulders and hands [ 3 , 7 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 23 , 24 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 32 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ].…”

“…In all the studies, women suffered from MSDs more often than men [ 3 , 8 , 9 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 20 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. The most frequent areas of pain are neck, lower back, shoulders and hands [ 3 , 7 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 23 , 24 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 32 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ]. The occupational risk factors in dentistry include long-term static asymmetric forced posture, small intensively lighted working field, limited range and spectrum of movements, noise, and psychosocial stress [ 12 , 23 , 35 , 38 , 41 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ].…”

Frequency of Musculoskeletal Disorders and their Counter Measures Adopted by Final Year Students and Young Dentists: A Questionnaire Based Multicenter Study

“…International studies show that number of dentists suffering from MSDs seek professional help, take sick leave from respective institutes, change their work setting or reduce their working hour [24][25][26]. Indian studies reported that 13.9% -47% dentists sought professional help, 35% used medication for symptomatic relief and 12% used physiotherapy [27,28]. According to a local study 40.7% of dental practitioners sought medical treatment and only 16% dentists and 11% dental students took sick leave [29].…”

Evaluation of Occupational Variables Affecting Dentists Using Hierarchical Cluster Analysis

“…One-third of dentists are obese and 60% have low back pain. Sixty percent stated that they were tense, tense, or depressed, and 48.6% had difficulty sleeping 18 . In another study conducted in Brazil, it was concluded that the incidence of low back pain in dentists is higher than the general population 3 .…”