Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain of the neck, upper extremities and lower back among dental practitioners working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesStudies have shown that dentists have a higher incidence of work-related musculoskeletal (MSK) pain than those in other occupations. The risk factors contributing to MSK pain among Saudi dentists has not been fully studied so this study aims to estimate the prevalence of MSK pain and investigate its associated risk factors among dentists in Saudi Arabia.Setting and participantsA cross-sectional survey was carried out in the capital city Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, using random cluster sampling. 224 surveys were distributed among dentists with a 91.1% response rate (101 women and 103 men).OutcomesThe prevalence of MSK pain and its associated risk factors were investigated.Results184 (90.2%) respondents reported having MSK pain. Lower back pain was the most commonly reported MSK pain (68.1%). Gender and age were reported to be predictors for at least one type of MSK pain. Older age was associated with lower back pain (OR 1.23; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.50) and women had double the risk of shoulder pain (OR 2.52; 95% CI 1.12 to 5.68). In addition, lower back pain was related to the time the dentist spent with patients (OR 0.28; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.54), while shoulder pain (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.06) and lower back pain (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.10) were significantly related to years of experience.ConclusionsMSK pain is common among older and female Saudi dentists. Research on the impact of exercise and the ergonomics of the workplace on the intensity of MSK pain and the timing of its onset is required.

Body Discomfort Due to Musculoskeletal Disorders among Dental Practitioners in Primary Healthcare Center in Bandung City

“…Pain in the lower back, as shown in this study was significantly more prevalent than in any other parts of the axial region, and this finding was consistent with Dantas et al In addition, this finding was consistent with many other studies [13,14]. The main risk factor for lower back pain associated with dental work is the poor and unsupported sitting position.…”

“…Musculoskeletal disorders in dentists have been the subject of numerous studies worldwide, and the overall prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in dentists ranges from 66 to 93 percent [7][8][9][10]. Various studies have shown that when MSD is found in dentists, it is located in specific regions such as the neck [5,10,11] and the lower back [12][13][14]. The purpose of this study is to describe the most common types and locations of MSD in dentists working at the Public Healthcare Center in Bandung City.…”

Prevalence and Incidence of Low Back Pain in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review

“…The studies that fulfilled the criteria for reporting prevalence were the same studies deemed to have a low risk of bias. Five studies [12][13][14][15] met the inclusion criteria and these studies are summarized in Table 1.…”

Prevalencia de dolor musculoesquelético y factores asociados en odontólogos de la ciudad de Cuenca, Ecuador, 2016

“…Un estudio en Portoviejo (Ecuador) en el 2012 arrojó una prevalencia del dolor en odontólogos del 74% (11). Al-Mohrej et al en un estudio en el año 2016 en odontólogos de Arabia Saudita reportaron que el 90,2% tuvo dolor musculoesquelético (12). Alexopoulos determinó una prevalencia del 62% en odontólogos griegos (13).…”