Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), associated factors and treatment among dentists over a one year period.
METHOD: A total of 272 questionnaires were returned complete providing demographic information, details of the physical workload, location of pain in the body, and the treatment and prevention of MSDs. All data was coded for each of the parameters. The association between pain and each of the parameters was determined by parametric and non-parametric statistical tests (P < 0.05).
PARTICIPANTS: General and specialist dentists participated in the study. The sample set of dentists consisted of 205 (75.4%) generalists and 67 (24.6%) specialists.
RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of the total cohort experienced MSDs. Female dentists complained of pain significantly more frequently than their male counterparts (p=0.018). Significantly higher rates of pain and MSDs are related to increased years of work (r=0.168, p =0.017) and less regular ergonomic exercise (p=0.002). Reported pain was most common in the shoulder (44.2%), neck (31.8%) and lower back (29.9%). Dentists who worked inclined had significantly more pain disorder than those who did not (p=0.013). In total 23.5% of dentists reduced working hours and 16.5% sought medical help.
CONCLUSION: Pain was most commonly reported in the shoulder, neck and back. Physical workload is an important factor in MSDs. The impact of MSDs on the work and life of dentists demonstrates the need for increased knowledge of MSDs and the instigation of preventive strategies.