Osteomuscular Symptoms in Dentists: a Pilot Study

Abstract

Dentists are more likely to develop occupational diseases due to the routine use of arms and shoulders with the same patterns of movement. Musculoskeletal disorders encompass several pathologies that are the main cause of early worker withdrawal and can lead to symptoms that hinder professional activity, such as pain, fatigue and even the spine functional impairment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms related to the dentists' professional activity. This is a cross-sectional quantitative study. Data collection was performed at the Dental Specialties Centers in the cities of Crato, Juazeiro do Norte and Mauriti in the state of Ceará. To collect the data an interview script and the Nordic questionnaire -adapted NMQ were used. Of those interviewed, 83.33% reported pain in the last 12 months; 46.66% reported some pain in the last 7 days; 36.66% reported that pain was an obstacle to work; 53.33% sought a health professional for consultation related to pain in the last 12 months; and 90% correlated the pain experienced with work. The anatomical regions that most professionals reported were pain in the lower back, neck, hands, shoulders and upper back. Given the severity of musculoskeletal symptoms and their consequences on the health of dentists, it is fundamental to adopt practices that aim to prevent their onset. Keywords

Valoración del riesgo ergonómico de estudiantes de odontología mediante el método Owas

“…We have verified that the greater risk of musculoskeletal injury presented a higher percentage at the level of the back, followed by the arms; in their study, de ODONTOLOGÍA ODONTOLOGÍA cols. 5 , encontraron que las regiones anatómicas que la mayoría de los profesionales informaron dolor fue en la parte baja de la espalda, el cuello, las manos, los hombros y la parte superior de la espalda. Dada la gravedad de los síntomas musculoesqueléticos y sus consecuencias en la salud de los dentistas, es fundamental adoptar prácticas que tengan como objetivo prevenir su aparición; ya que afecta directamente la calidad de vida del profesional 13 .…”

“…La Norma ISO 11226, 'Ergonomía: evaluación de posturas estáticas de trabajo', proporciona posturas ideales para el trabajo dental, como sentarse en una postura activa, Oliveira and colls. 5 , found that the anatomical regions that most professionals reported pain was in the lower back, neck, hands, shoulders, and upper back. Given the severity of musculoskeletal symptoms and their consequences on the health of dentists, it is essential to adopt practices that aim to prevent their appearance; since it directly affects the quality of life of the professional 13 .…”

“…Los trastornos musculoesqueléticos abarcan varias patologías que son la causa principal del retiro temprano del trabajador y pueden provocar síntomas que dificultan la actividad profesional, como dolor, fatiga e incluso el deterioro funcional de la columna vertebral 4,5,6 .…”

“…Musculoskeletal disorders encompass various pathologies that are the main cause of early worker retirement and can cause symptoms that hinder professional activity, such as pain, fatigue, and even functional deterioration of the spine 4,5,6 .…”