Prevalence and Response to Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Reported by Dentists

Tanya Botha                                                                                                Supervisor: Phyllis Woodfine

Abstract

Purpose and Background: This study will examine the prevalence of work- related rnuseuloskeletal and neurological dysfunction in dentists. Secondly, the aim is to determine strategies used to reduce musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as altered work conditions, treatment sought, and use of exercise.

The prevalence of dentists seeking professional treatment by osteopaths, and others, will be explored. Subjects. A questionnaire was mailed to 92 dentists randomly selected from the London South East 2005/2006 Phone Book. There was a response rate of 50%. Method. A questionnaire was constructed and mailed. Self reports of muscuoskeIetaI and neurological dysfunction and responses to these disorders were obtained. Results. 72% to dentists reported work-related musculoskeletal and neurological dysfunction. 

The highest prevalence of MSDs was to the neck (59%), shoulder (54%) and lower back (52%). When asked about their awareness of common musculosk&etal trends in dentistry, twenty four percent of respondents reported the back to be symptomatic areas in colleagues, followed by the neck. 

Twenty two percent of dentists with MSD’s reported missing work during the preceding year. There was no consistent influence of psychosocial factors on MSIYs or the seeking of treatment Sixty one percent to dentists reported altering their work conditions, The most common profession consulted by dentists seeking treatment for work-related MSD’s, was osteopathy. Eighty five percent of dentist believed that regular exercise, relaxation techniques and daily stretching helped reduce MW’s. pathic technique