Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in dentists and orthodontists: A review of the literature

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD's) are on the rise worldwide. These disorders have numerous repercussions, from serious ill-health effects at the individual level to decreased workplace efficiency and productivity affecting not only quality of life but the economy. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to provide an overview of WMSD's in the dental profession, more specifically, among general dental practitioners and specialist orthodontists. METHODS: Literature was hand searched from Pubmed with greater emphasis on contemporary literature as the professionals demands have evolved over the years. RESULTS: While there have been numerous papers published relating to the prevalence of ergonomic problems among general dentists, orthodontists have received little investigation. CONCLUSION: This review highlights the need for research into the risk factors of WMSD's in the dental profession (both general dentistry and orthodontics), as this would provide a more direct approach for prevention which is essential as professionals work for longer years in practice.

WITHDRAWN: Employees’ Occupational Health and Safety Awareness in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

“…The incidence of WMSD in dentists and orthodontists is especially high due to prolonged, forced, awkward, and mostly incorrect positions; straining the muscles, joints, and tendons, increased muscle tension, and spinal problems. Also, lower back pain, neck pain, and visual strains are not uncommon symptoms in such professionals with most reporting pain in more than one part of the body (21,22).…”

The role of ergonomic saddle seats and magnification loupes in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. A systematic review

“…MSDs are multifactorial. Static and awkward postures, repetition and force, poor lighting, improper positioning of both patient and dental professional, lack of dental assistant, individual characteristics (physical conditioning, height, weight, general health, gender, age) and stress lead to the development of MSDs . The demanding pace of the work seems to contribute to the severity of the problem.…”

Organizational types in relation to exposure at work and sickness – a repeated cross-sectional study within public dentistry

“…OHPs are seen to be at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders due to the tasks they perform at work which are monotonous, repetitive, and static [10], which might increase the risk for muscular imbalance, neuromuscular inhibition, pain, and dysfunction [7,8,10]. Physical problems, predominantly back pain, have also been regularly reported from OHPs [6,[11][12][13], and the relationship between physical and psychosocial problems in the work environment and sick absence has been reported previously among dental staff members [5,14,15]. Work organization can affect employees' physical and psychosocial work environment, and the reorganization of workplaces often means not only a change in itself but also restructuring and downsizing as well as changes in the composition of the workgroup and management [16].…”