The Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Dentists in the Czech Republic

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems among Czech dentists and to analyze the factors that affect these disorders. Information was gathered through questionnaire completed by 581 physicians. The questionnaire ascertained general information about physicians including their work habits and the characteristics of their work environment along with the occurrence of musculoskeletal problems as well as their intensity. In the past year the occurrence of at least mild difficulties associated with the locomotive system was reported by 96.9% of dentists surveyed (n = 557), with 66.3% of respondents (n = 381) reporting difficulties ofa moderate or major nature. Most respondents of both sexes indicated neck pain. A statistically significant correlation with the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints of medium and major intensity was demonstrated for the following factors: sex, age, running a private practice, past injury or musculoskeletal diseases, and the perception of work as psychologically demanding. Musculoskeletal disorders in dentists in Czech Republic are relatively frequent and serious health problem. The causes of these diseases must be identified and appropriate preventive interventions undertaken that will contribute to a reduction in the incidence of these problems.

Occupational Health Problems among Dentists in Croatia

“…According to the data from the available literature, this study is among the most comprehensive national studies on occupational diseases in dentists with the highest number of participants compared to total number of active dental practitioners in the country. The study similar to ours according to the number of participants and response rate was performed by Šustova et al in Czech Republic but without data about total number of active dentists (19). Their study involved 581 participants with response rate of 72.6 %.…”

“…The occurrence of difficulties associated with the musculoskeletal system was reported by 96.9 % of dentists surveyed. A statistically significant correlation with the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints of medium and major intensity was demonstrated for the following factors: sex, age, running a private practice, past injury or musculoskeletal diseases, and the perception of work as psychologically demanding (19). Kierklo et al assessed the health status among dentists in Poland regarding the symptoms of musculoskeletal pain.…”

“…Usporedbom s podatcima iz dostupne literature, ovo je jedno od najopsežnijih nacionalnih istraživanja o profesionalnim bolestima među stomatolozima i s najvećim brojem sudionika ako se uzme u obzir ukupan broj aktivnih stomatologa u državi. Istraživanje slično ovome, s obzirom na broj sudionika i sličnu stopu odgovora, proveli su Šustova i njezini suradnici u Republici Češkoj, no bez podataka o ukupnom broju aktivnih stomatologa (19). Njihovo istraživanje obuhvatilo je 581 stomatologa, a stopa odgovora bila je 72,6 %.…”

“…Njih 96,9 % izjavilo je da ima poteškoće s mišićno-koštanim sustavom. Utvrđena je statistički značajna korelacija između pojavnosti mišićno-košta-nih poteškoća srednjega i jakog intenziteta, te spola, dobi, vođenja privatne ordinacije, ozljeda mišićno-koštanog sustava u prošlosti, te doživljaja posla kao psihološki zahtjevnoga (19). Kierklo i suradnici ispitivali su zdravstveni status među poljskim stomatolozima s obzirom na mišićno-koštanu bol.…”

Capacidade para o trabalho de cirurgiões-dentistas da atenção básica: prevalência e fatores associados

“…A prevalência de distúrbios musculoesquelético em cirurgiões-dentistas (CDs) varia de 61% a 96,9% [6][7][8] , fato que provoca elevados índices de absentismo, incapacidade temporária ou permanente para o trabalho com reflexos negativos na qualidade dos serviços prestados à população e na capacidade para o trabalho desses profissionais 1,5,8 .…”