Prevention of Musculoskeletal Diseases and Pain among Dental Professionals through Ergonomic Interventions: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Musculoskeletal diseases and pain (MSDs) are prevalent among dental professionals. They cause a growing inability to work and premature leaving of the occupation. Thus, the objective of this review was to summarize the evidence of ergonomic interventions for the prevention of MSDs among dental professionals. This review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The literature search was carried out in May 2018, with an update in April 2019. Scientific databases such as MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed and Web of Science as well as reference lists of the included studies were used. Relevant data were extracted from the studies and summarized. The quality assessment was performed using a validated standardized instrument. Eleven studies were included in this review, of which four are of high quality. Eight studies focused on setting prevention strategies. Of those, in five studies, magnification loupes or prismatic spectacles were the subject of ergonomic interventions. Further subjects were the dental chair (n = 2) and dental instruments (n = 1). Three studies evaluated ergonomic training. In all studies, the ergonomic interventions had positive effects on the study outcome. Several ergonomic interventions to prevent MSDs among dental professionals were found to exert a positive effect on the prevalence of MSDs or working posture. This systematic review adds current evidence for the use of prismatic spectacles in order to prevent MSDs among dental professionals. Further intervention studies about the role of ergonomics for the prevention of MSDs among dental professionals are warranted.

Prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal disorders of the hand and associated conducted therapy approaches among dentists and dental assistants in Germany

“…Compared to many other studies [ 4 , 8 , 11 – 13 , 18 , 19 ], the lifetime and the 12-month prevalence of hand MSDs in Ds and DAs in the current study is lower. Advanced investigations and possibly, the implementation of ergonomic conditions in dentistry in recent years, may contribute to these differences [ 44 ]. Besides, most of the studies, including the present study, have adopted the Nordic Questionnaire [ 4 , 11 – 13 , 18 , 19 ].…”

“…With regard to relational measures, several ergonomic studies at the dental workplace confirm that an improvement in ergonomics (e.g. with regard to instruments, the practitioner's as well as the patient's chair and the arrangement of the working environment) leads to a decrease in MSDs [37,[41][42][43][44].…”

Prevalence of postural musculoskeletal symptoms among dental students in United Arab Emirates

“…The nature of dental work, which includes repetitive movement, long work sessions and awkward static postures, contributes to musculoskeletal problems amongst dentists [ 1 ]. The costs of these problems are substantial, both in terms of money and in terms of work time lost [ 4 ]; these musculoskeletal problems may result in lower work productivity, have an adverse effect on the quality of work and efficiency, lead to a shortened working lifespan, and contribute to occupational disability, which constitute a major health challenge for individual and healthcare system around the world [ 5 , 6 ]. A study conducted by Oberg [ 7 ] found that the loss of income due to musculoskeletal pain in the dentistry profession is greater than $40 million.…”

Comparative analysis of preclinical dental students' working postures using dental loupes and dental operating microscope

“…Trying to combat these affections, the science of ergonomics searched for multiple methods to improve. Among those methods, magnification systems proved to be an efficient tool to combat ill posture and subsequently MSDs 16 . Magnification loupes, shown to have positive impact on the prevention of MSDs, 16 could improve students' working habits because students who have begun their clinical years are more prone to work‐related musculoskeletal disorders compared to students in their preclinical years 17 …”