Survey on utility of yoga as an alternative therapy for occupational hazards among dental practioners

Abstract

Background:The therapeutic potential of yoga are often considered complementary to various forms of medical practice. Very few studies have evaluated the effects of yoga in the treatment of occupational hazards among dentists. Hence, this cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the adoption of yoga techinques as an alternative therapy in treatment of physical and psychological occupational hazards among dental general practitioners in Chennai, India.Materials and Methods:A validated closed-ended questionnaire was circulated to 500 dental general practitioners in Chennai, India and we received 394 completed questionnaires. The questionnaire documented demographic data, occupational hazards and the type of treatment taken for the hazards.Results:Musculoskeletal pain with stress (47%) was the most common occupational hazard reported, followed by only stress (27.4%), and only musculoskeletal pain (25.6%). Only 9.6% of practitioners adopted yoga as an alternative treatment for these occupational hazards. Interestingly, majority (46.4%) of them did exercise, gym, massage, walking and heard music. Surprisingly, 43.9% did not take any measures to treat these occupational hazards. However 53.3% of the dentists who did not consider yoga as an alternative therapy, stated lack of time as a reason for not practicing yoga while 17.6% of them don’t believe yoga as a therapy.Conclusion:Despite musculoskeletal pain and stress being the most common occupational hazard prevalent among dentists, over 50% of the subjects surveyed didn’t seek any measure to treat these occupational hazards and only 10% of them practiced yoga as the alternative therapy.

Impact of a Yogic Breathing Technique on the Well-Being of Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The common ones include skepticism, cost, lack of time & access to high quality yoga classes and teachers, and stereotypes related to flexibility and athleticism. 16 , 17 In addition, to our knowledge, there haven’t been any yoga-based interventions that have specifically targeted HCPs during the COVID-19 pandemic. One approach that has been posited to address these challenges is Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY).…”

Yoga research review

“…Stress is notably common in dentists, although only 10% of dentists practice yoga [51]. In this survey study musculoskeletal pain with stress was reported by 47% of the dentists but 53% of the dentists did not consider yoga as an alternative therapy and gave a lack of time as a reason.…”

Impact of Yoga in Dental Practice

“…• More stressed focus less on the maintenance of good oral health. 16 Stressed people have a habit of grinding their teeth resulting in micro-cracks and broken fillings and worn down teeth results in nerve damage; the teeth that are grounded down to the dentin results in sensitivity to heat and cold; gum recession because of pressure on the gum line; loose teeth and gingival pockets due to the motion of teeth grinding; headache and aching jaws because of overworked jaw muscles; and jaw impairment. 9…”

“…Because of this asana, the blood flow to the lower limbs is reduced, muscles are stretched and these varicose veins are cured. 16…”