Carpal tunnel syndrome – an occupational hazard facing dentistry

Abichandani, Sagar J; Shaikh, Saquib Ahmed; Nadiger, Ramesh K

doi:10.1111/idj.12037

Cited by 19 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Moreover, pipetting involves repeated forceful thumb movement pressing the plungers with repeated hand motion and wrist twisting for prolonged time, and all these movements are risk factors of CTS 9 , 34) . Several studies reported that workplace ergonomic is an important risk factor of work related musculoskeletal disorders, including CTS 7 , 9 , 35) . Based on that, using unadjustable chairs or desk can affect the level of the laboratory technician's elbows in relation to his workstation, causing prolonged wrist flexion or extension which might lead to CTS 5 , 35) .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is related to compression and irritation of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel in the wrist, and it is associated with certain risk factors such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, pregnancy, rheumatoid arthritis, and occupational factors 1 - 3) . Various studies have reported that CTS is the most common entrapment neuropathy of the upper extremity in the working populations that is associated with different work-related factors, mainly repetitive movements, forceful manual exertion, frequent twisting of the wrist, and hand-arm vibration 2 , 4 - 7) . Healthcare workers, including laboratory technicians, are at risk for developing upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders, including CTS 8 - 10) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Carpal tunnel syndrome among laboratory technicians in relation to personal and ergonomic factors at work

El-Helaly

Balkhy

Vallenius

2017

Journal of Occupational Health

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Objectives: Work-related carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has been reported in different occupations, including laboratory technicians, so this study was carried out to determine the prevalence and the associated personal and ergonomic factors for CTS among laboratory technicians. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 279 laboratory technicians at King Fahd Hospital, Saudi Arabia, who filled in a self-administered questionnaire, including questions regarding their demographic criteria, occupational history, job tasks, workplace tools, ergonomic factors at work, and symptoms suggestive of CTS. Physical examinations and electrodiagnostic studies were carried out for those who had symptoms suggestive of CTS to confirm the diagnosis. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed for both personal and physical factors in association with confirmed CTS among laboratory technicians. Results: The prevalence of CTS among the laboratory technicians was 9.7% (27/279). The following were the statistically significant risk factors for CTS among them: gender (all cases of CTS were female, P=0.00), arm/hand exertion (OR: 7.96; 95% CI: 1.84-34.33), pipetting (OR: 7.27; 95% CI: 3.15-16.78), repetitive tasks (OR: 4.60; 95% CI: 1.39-15.70), using unadjustable chairs or desks (OR: 3.35; 95% CI: 1.23-9.15), and working with a biosafety cabinet (OR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.11-5.59). CTS cases had significant longer work duration (17.9 ± 5.6 years) than CTS non-case (11.5 ± 7.4 yeas) with low OR (1.108). Conclusion: This study demonstrates some personal and ergonomic factors associated with CTS among the laboratory technicians, including female gender, arm/hand exertion, pipetting, repetitive tasks, working with a biosafety cabinet, and an unadjusted workstation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carpal tunnel syndrome among laboratory technicians in relation to personal and ergonomic factors at work

El-Helaly

Balkhy

Vallenius

2017

Journal of Occupational Health

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“…The most recent study, published in 2005 by Sartorio et al (2005) reported that these disorders occur in 54–93% of dentists, with a higher incidence in older individuals and women. The areas of the body mainly affected by repetitive strain are the shoulders and wrists, which often display symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome ( Abichandani, Shaikh & Nadiger, 2013 ; Jodalli et al, 2015 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ergonomic risk and preventive measures of musculoskeletal disorders in the dentistry environment: an umbrella review

Sio

Traversini

Rinaldo

et al. 2018

PeerJ

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IntroductionDental practitioners are exposed to different occupational hazards during the course of their professional activity, such as physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic factors. The ergonomic hazards, caused by strained posture and prolonged repetitive movements, can induce musculoskeletal disorders. It occurs in 54–93% of dental professionals and involve the spine, shoulder and hand-wrist tract. Through a systematic review of international literature, we analyzed specific ergonomic risk factors and preventive measures of musculoskeletal disorders in professional dental activity.MethodsThis systematic review is coherent with the PRISMA statement. The scientific research on the major online databases was based on the following keywords: dentist, prevention, ergonomic, dentistry, musculoskeletal, neck pain, posture, ergonomics, work and occupational. The studies included in this review focus on disorders related to ergonomics and on the most effective preventive measures to be adopted. No restrictions were applied for language or publication type. We excluded reports not related to ergonomic prevention in dentistry, reports of minor academic significance, editorial articles, individual contributions, and studies published in scientific conferences.ResultsOnline research indicated 4188 references: PubMed (2919), Scopus (1257) e Cochrane Library (12). We excluded 3012 of these, because they were unrelated to ergonomics theme and 187 due to duplication. From the remaining 989 studies, 960 papers did not meet inclusion criteria and they were excluded. Therefore, we analyzed 29 articles, including 16 narrative reviews and 13 original article. The main risk factor for the development of musculoskeletal disorders found in our analysis is static posture adopted during work, highlighted in 87.5% of reviews and 84% of original articles. With regard to preventive measures, 75% of the reviews highlighted the importance of stretching after each working session and at the end of the working day, while 61.5% of the original articles emphasized the use of modern and ergonomic instruments.DiscussionThis review showed that static postures are strongly responsible in the etiology of musculoskeletal disorders. The awkward postures more frequently identified among dental professionals are: extreme forward-head and neck flexion; trunk inclination and rotation towards one side; lifting one or both shoulders; increased curvature of the thoracic vertebral column; incorrect positioning of the lower limbs with thigh-leg angle of less than 90°. It is really important to use of a modern workstation with appropriate ergonomic supports. Among the preventive ergonomic measures, literature has widely recognized the role of physical activity and of a neutral and balanced posture. The present review has some limits: a large part of the selected studies did not have a high methodological quality score and an inadequate statistical analysis.

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“…8 There is an additional requirement for proceeding with dental instruction programs in dentistry so dental technicians can refresh themselves with the most recent and more up to date strategies and materials available. [10][11][12][13] The present study is undertaken to identify different work place related hazards and conditions of dental laboratories among dental technicians in Karachi city.…”

Section: Sohail Saadat 3 Bds Mdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Work Place Related Health Hazards Among Dental Laboratory Technicians In Karachi

Toufique¹,

Nisar²,

Saadat³

2018

J Pak Dent Assoc

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BACKGROUND:Every profession has its own workplace related health risks. Dental practice is a profession in which the health care provider, whether dentist, assistant, hygienist or technician, is at multiple risks including exposure to hazardous chemicals, infections, pollution, posture related risks and stress related health issues. OBJECTIVE: The study aim is to identify work place related health hazards among dental technicians in Karachi. METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional study was conducted by administering a questionnaire to hundred and thirty two dental technicians selected from the laboratories of teaching hospitals and private dental laboratories in Karachi by visiting them at their laboratories. The data collected were analysed by using SPSS version 22. Percentages, mean and standard deviation were calculated. RESULTS:Among hundred and thirty two dental technicians, 75.8% were males with mean age was found to be 31.08 ± 8.29 years. The mean years of experience as a dental technician was 8.08 ±6.90 years. Working environment of both types of laboratories were found satisfactory with good ventilation, sufficient light and wide working space while safety precaution and infection control measures were not according to the measures recommended and only half of the participants were vaccinated. The most common work place related complaints found were factors causing stress (64%), systemic reactions (50.8%) and musculoskeletal problems in hand and neck (43.2%). Stress was found to be most common work place related hazard with contributing factors found were financial worries(57.6%), dealing with customers (56.1%) and time management (43.2%). Headache (33.3%) and pain (35.6%) were found to be the common work place related health hazards of general systemic reactions and musculoskeletal problems respectively. CONCLUSION:This study concluded that dental technicians suffered from work related problems like job related stress, headache, musculoskeletal problems, time management and dealing with patients. The working environment of both teaching hospitals and private dental laboratories was satisfactory while safety precautions and infection control measures adopted by the technicians were not according to the measures recommended.

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Carpal tunnel syndrome – an occupational hazard facing dentistry

Abstract: Dentists have an increased risk of carpal tunnel syndrome and precautions and care should be exercised to prevent detrimental irreversible changes occurring.

Cited by 19 publications

References 16 publications

Carpal tunnel syndrome among laboratory technicians in relation to personal and ergonomic factors at work

Carpal tunnel syndrome among laboratory technicians in relation to personal and ergonomic factors at work

Ergonomic risk and preventive measures of musculoskeletal disorders in the dentistry environment: an umbrella review

Work Place Related Health Hazards Among Dental Laboratory Technicians In Karachi

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