Predictors of work‐related musculoskeletal disorders among dental hygienists

Abstract

Objectives: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) have been recognized as a considerable problem for the dental hygiene profession, with the majority of professionals reporting musculoskeletal pain. The aim of this study was to investigate which risk factors may help predict MSD among Australian dental hygienists. Methods: A modified version of the Standardised Nordic questionnaire was distributed to registered hygienists throughout Australia. Results: Logistic regression analysis revealed a variety of work-related and psychosocial factors that correlate with reported MSD, including scaling tasks, type of practice and work interference in home life. Statistical predictors for non-reporting of MSD included wearing loupes, ergonomics education and wage satisfaction. Concerning is the impact on the profession, with an association between MSD and hygienists considering reducing working hours or even alternate careers. Conclusions: In general, it appears as though the causes of MSD among dental hygienists may be multifactorial, as may be the solutions to this problem. Further research is required to objectively examine whether controllable variables can be implemented as preventive strategies or interventions for MSD.

Low back pain among school teachers in Botswana, prevalence and risk factors

“…Moreover, LBP is also associated with escalating medical costs[1]. This condition often occurs as a result of cumulative trauma and can affect the bones, muscles and their attachments, as well as nerves and blood supply[3]. Considerable focus has been on back injuries and musculoskeletal disorders of workers in health care[3–5] and other industries[2, 6].…”

Musculoskeletal pain and ergonomic aspects of dentistry

“…Since stress has several causes, it is not possible to establish a single way to prevent it or fight it. Associated to this, a certain working posture, maintained for a long time, may lead to continuous stress of most required muscles and may generate circulatory and metabolic disorders, in addition to causing pain or muscle discomfort 5 . The origin of musculoskeletal injuries is in general related to labor activities requiring excessive strength with hands, inadequate upper limbs (UULL) postures, repetitiveness of a same movement, mechanical compression of UULL structures and neighbor regions (shoulders, arms and hands) and not enough time to carry out a certain job 6 .…”

Working position influences the biomechanical demands on the lower back during dental hygiene

“…Second, dental hygienists were only required to perform a single task (manual scaling) during data collection. Our decision to focus on scaling was based on previous research, which identified that dental hygienists in the United States spend upwards of 57% of the duration for each appointment scaling (Anton et al 2002;Bramson, Smith, and Romagnoli 1998;Yee, Crawford, and Harber 2005), and that scaling had the highest odds ratio as a predictor of MSD in dental hygienists (Hayes, Taylor, and Smith 2011). The final limitation was our choice to not include a backrest on the chair on which dental hygienists sat during data collection.…”

“…More recent data have reported that dental hygienists spend between 54 and 57% of their time scaling (Anton et al 2002;Yee, Crawford, and Harber 2005). Scaling, or the debridement of plaque from the patient's teeth, had the highest odds ratio as a predictor of MSDs amongst dental hygienists (Hayes, Taylor, and Smith 2011). Scaling is performed using hand held instruments, Downloaded by [University of Tasmania] at 09:54 30 September 2015 forward, bend laterally and twist to the right to obtain either direct or indirect vision of the oral cavity (Liss et al 1995).…”