The Subjective Musculoskeletal Symptoms of Dental Hygienists According to Their Treatment Posture

Abstract

Objective: A self-administered questionnaire was conducted with three hundred dental hygienists. A total of three hundred questionnaire copy is collected. The copies with insincere answers or errors were excluded, and finally two hundred and 61 copies were used. Methods:The collected data were analyzed with SPSS 12.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) program. The frequency and percentage of the study subjects' subjective pains of musculoskeletal symptoms were calculated according to the characteristics of their work conditions and their body regions related to work. In order to analyze relations between the subjective musculoskeletal symptom in the each one of body regions, and work conditions and treatment posture, Pearson's Correlation Analysis was conducted.Results: 1) Regarding their daily treatment hours, those working 2 to 4 hours accounted for the highest rate (46.4%)-Their subjective musculoskeletal symptoms were found in the order of the shoulders (76.0%), the neck (75.2%), and the waist (71.1%).2) Regarding the use of their hands for treatment, those using both hands accounted for 44.4%-Their subjective musculoskeletal symptoms were found in the order of the shoulders (76.7%), the neck (70.7%), the waist (64.7%), and the wrists (60.3%). Subjective musculoskeletal symptoms on the wrists were more found. 3) Regarding dental hygienists' operation position for treatment, those in the 9 o'clock position accounted for 63.6%-Their subjective musculoskeletal symptoms were found in the order of the shoulders (80.1%), the neck (75.9%), and the legs/feet (66.3%). Conclusion:Most dental hygienist had the problem with waist and shoulder posture for direct treatment, and suffered subjective musculoskeletal symptoms mostly on the shoulders, the neck, and the waist in order.