Musculoskeletal Pain among Dental Professionals

Abstract

Work-related musculoskeletal (MS) disorders are problems of the musculoskeletal system that significantly cost workplace problems thus affecting occupational health, productivity and career of the working population. Like all other professionals, dental professionals (DP) are exposed to occupational health hazards which predispose them to develop a multitude of health problems. This study was designed to find out the prevalence and associated factors of MS pain among the DP. Self-administered questionnaires consisting of demographic data and MS pain related data, were distributed to different groups of DP namely clinical instructors, Post Graduate Dental students, Interns and dental hygienists working in various dental institutes of Delhi.  Out of 82 questionnaires distributed, response rate was 85.5% (n=70). Among 70 respondents, those with MS pain were 19 (34.5%) clinical instructors, 14 (25.5%) postgraduate students, 12 (21.8%), Intern and 10(18.2%) dental hygienists. Their mean age was 28.6 ± 4.7 years old. The MS pain found respectively was shoulder pain 67.3% (n = 37), neck pain 58.2% (n = 32), upper back pain 52.7% (n=29) and low back pain 58.2% (n = 32). The associated factor of cervicobrachial pain (shoulder pain combined with neck pain) was working status, as 94% (n=18) clinical instructors, 78% (n=11) postgraduate student and 100% (n=10) dental hygienists were associated with cervicobrachial pain, which was statistically significant. The impacts of MS pain among the dental personnel included usage of pain relieving medication (89.1%), seeking medical evaluation (43.6%), reduction in working hours (78.2%),) and work absence (41.8%), either frequently or infrequently. The treatments of MS pain utilized to alleviate those impacts were analgesics (85.5%), physical therapy (34.5%) and rest (41.8%) respectively. Despite high prevalence of MS pain and its adverse impact, 45.5% (n=25) of DP did not do physical exercise at all and 47.3% (n=26) DP did it irregularly. It is concluded that cervicobrachial pain was the most prevalent MS pain among the DP and working status was associated with their MS pain problems. The impact of MS pain was predominantly usage of pain relieving medication and reduction in working hours. Strategies should be recognized and set as a policy to reduce the ongoing occupational problems and promote healthy behaviors among DP.