Abstract
To determine how early musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) develop in dental professionals and to explore the potential differences among distinct dental specialties. 271 dental postgraduates majoring in five dental specialties were recruited, i.e., orthodontics, prosthodontics, endodontics, periodontics and alveolar surgery. 254 age-matched non-dental postgraduates served as the control. The standardized Nordic questionnaire on MSDs and a self-report questionnaire regarding correlative factors (only for dental postgraduates) were answered through emails. Reliability of responses was assessed applying test-retest method. The intraclass correlation coefficient of participants' answers ranged from 0.89 to 0.96. Dental postgraduates had significantly higher prevalence of MSDs than the control group, especially at neck, upper back and lower back. In all dental specialties included, high prevalence of MSDs was reported at neck (47.5%-69.8%), shoulders (50.8%-65.1%), lower back (27.1%-51.2%) and upper back (25.6%-46.5%), with lower prevalence at elbows (5.1%-18.6%), hips (3.4%-16.3%) and ankles (5.1%-11.6%). Periodontics students reported the worst MSDs in most body regions except wrists and knees, which were more prevalent for prosthodontic and alveolar surgery students, respectively. Furthermore, year of clinical work, clinical hours per week and desk hours per week were found as risk factors for MSDs, whereas physical exercise and rest between patients as protective factors. High and specialty-related MSDs afflict dental professionals even since very early stage of careers. Prevention aimed at the specialty-related characteristics and the risk/protective factors revealed in this study should be introduced to dental personnel as early as possible.
Highlights
The nature of dental clinical work could predispose dentists to diverse occupational hazards8, among which musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have been most frequently reported2,3,9,17
Though numerous reports suggest its high prevalence8, few have explored how early MSDs develop in dental careers, which could hinder the application of preventive methods
The aim of this study is to evaluate MSDs in the early stage of dental careers and to explore the potential differences of MSDs among distinct specialties
Summary
The nature of dental clinical work could predispose dentists to diverse occupational hazards, among which musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have been most frequently reported. Dental practitioners frequently adopt unfavorable postures characterized by neck flexion, side bend and rotation, and shoulder abduction for better view and easier access to the oral cavity. Dental practitioners frequently adopt unfavorable postures characterized by neck flexion, side bend and rotation, and shoulder abduction for better view and easier access to the oral cavity20 This static and awkward posture as well as repetitive movements, high prehension IRUFHV DQG ORQJ ZRUN GXUDWLRQ KDV EHHQ LGHQWL¿HG as the biomechanical risk factor associated with the development of MSDs among dentists, which compromises their health and even causes dropout. While most musculoskeletal symptoms could be relieved by proper preventive strategies, especially before chronic damages have been done, current studies indicate that effective preventive methods are still lacking4 This could be caused by the inadequate understanding of MSDs per se. To help prevent MSDs and minimize the negative effect, further studies of the above issue are needed
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