Musculoskeletal Disorders among Italian Dentists and Dental Hygienists

Abstract

Dental professionals often perform physically and mentally demanding therapeutical procedures. They work maintaining muscular imbalance and asymmetrical positions for a long time. The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence and the factors associated to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) among Italian dental professionals and the most affected body regions. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted between March 2019 and February 2020. The Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) was implemented with questions related to working habits (dental occupation, working hours per week and per days, years of work) and lifestyle (practiced physical activity, including frequency and duration, mobilization activities, and knowledge of ergonomic guidelines) was used. The-chi square test was carried out to detect any statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Logistic regression was carried out to detect the most significant factors associated to WMSD occurrence. A total of 284 questionnaires have been used for the analysis. A high proportion of dental professionals (84.6%) were affected by WMSD in the last 12 months. A higher prevalence was found in females (87%) when compared to males (80%). The prevalence of WMSD was correlated to the working hours/day and hour/week, with a higher risk for operators working >5 h/day and >30 h/week. In addition, a high prevalence was found in operators working for 2–5 years after graduation. Most of the surveyed dental professionals practiced physical activity (70.1%) but only a few had satisfactorily knowledge of ergonomic guidelines (12.7%). Interestingly, participants who practiced yoga or stretching as physical activities demonstrated lower WMSD (77%) when compared to other physical activities (84%). We can highlight that generic physical activities have no functional effect on WMSD for dental professionals. The most affected body areas were neck (59.9%), shoulders (43.3%), lumbar region (52.1%), dorsal region (37.7%) and wrists (30.6%). Considering the magnitude of the problem, there is an urgent need to implement the education in ergonomics among dental professionals, that may be achieved by teaching biomechanics, posturology and integrative functional therapies (such as yoga) during the university education and by promoting holistic health of dental operators.

The Development of Musculoskeletal Disorders during Undergraduate Dentistry Studies—A Long-Term Prospective Study

“…The three phases of the study were carried out in October (the first year), February (the third year), and May (the fifth year). In the scientific literature, there is not a general agreement on the benefits of sporting activities in relation to MSDs among dentists nor dentistry students [ 12 , 14 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 27 , 33 , 35 ].…”

“…There is broad evidence of an association between work-related MSDs [ 2 ] and the dentistry profession [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. The occurrence of MSDs among dentists varies between 47% and 93% in different studies [ 3 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Several studies among dentistry students showed the early onset of MSDs even during the undergraduate studies, where the occurrence ranged from 39% to 93% [ 8 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”

“…However, these studies compared actual students in different years of dentistry studies. In all the studies, women suffered from MSDs more often than men [ 3 , 8 , 9 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 20 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. The most frequent areas of pain are neck, lower back, shoulders and hands [ 3 , 7 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 23 , 24 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 32 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ].…”

“…In all the studies, women suffered from MSDs more often than men [ 3 , 8 , 9 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 20 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. The most frequent areas of pain are neck, lower back, shoulders and hands [ 3 , 7 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 23 , 24 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 32 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ]. The occupational risk factors in dentistry include long-term static asymmetric forced posture, small intensively lighted working field, limited range and spectrum of movements, noise, and psychosocial stress [ 12 , 23 , 35 , 38 , 41 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ].…”

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Diseases of the Upper Extremity Among Dental Professionals in Germany

“…Similar results were found by Gandolfi et al among Italian dentists and dental hygienists. 32 The most affected body areas in their study population were also neck (59.9%) and shoulders (43.3%) followed by lumbar region (52.1%), dorsal region (37.7%) and wrists (30.6%).…”