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      Prevalence of and risk factors for low back pain among dentists

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          Abstract

          [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, symptoms of, and risk factors for low back pain among dentists as well as to discover the possible correlation of these factors with working posture and how to reduce their prevalence. [Subjects and Methods] The study was conducted among 60 dentists (28 male and 32 female) with a mean age of 25.7 years. Dentists were evaluated with the self-administered Nordic musculoskeletal evaluation chart, postural discomfort chart, and a self-prepared questionnaire. [Results] The data showed a 70% incidence of back pain among dentists, with low back pain predominating in 47.6% of cases. Most of the subjects (90.5%) had a mild-to-moderate level of severity, and only 9.5% had a severe level of low back pain. The majority of the dentists (57%) treated 1–3 patients per day. Only a few dentists (17%) exercised during their rest period even though 57% of them reported taking a break during their working hours. Although 63% of the dentists were aware of the advantages of assistive tools, only 40% of them used any kind of assistive devices. [Conclusion] Dental professionals demonstrate a high prevalence of low back pain.

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          Preventing musculoskeletal disorders in clinical dentistry: strategies to address the mechanisms leading to musculoskeletal disorders.

          Keith Valachi, Bethany Valachi (2003)
          The authors reviewed studies to identify methods for dental operators to use to prevent the development of musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs. The authors reviewed studies that related to the prevention of MSDs among dental operators. Some studies investigated the relationship between the biomechanics of seated working postures and physiological damage or pain. Other studies suggested that repeated unidirectional twisting of the trunk can lead to low back pain, while yet other studies examined the detrimental effects of working in one position for prolonged periods. Additional studies confirmed the roles that operators' flexibility and core strength can play in balanced musculoskeletal health and the need for operators to know how to properly adjust ergonomic equipment. This review indicates that strategies to prevent the multifactorial problem of dental operators' developing MSDs exist. These strategies address deficiencies in operator position, posture, flexibility, strength and ergonomics. Education and additional research are needed to promote an understanding of the complexity of the problem and to address the problem's multifactorial nature. A comprehensive approach to address the problem of MSDs in dentistry represents a paradigm shift in how operators work. New educational models that incorporate a multifactorial approach can be developed to help dental operators manage and prevent MSDs effectively.
          Article 0 comments Cited 49 times – based on 0 reviews     Review now
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            Mechanisms leading to musculoskeletal disorders in dentistry.

            Bethany Valachi, Keith Valachi (2003)
            The authors reviewed the implications of prolonged, seated working postures on dental operator health and the potential development of musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs. The authors reviewed studies to assess the mechanisms associated with the development of musculoskeletal pain and MSDs among dental operators. Some studies investigated work duration, operator positioning and the physiological effects of various static sitting postures. Others explored the relationships between prolonged muscle contraction and muscle imbalances, as related to the development of pain and MSDs. This review advances the idea that the causes of musculoskeletal pain and disorders common to dental operators are multifactorial. Physiological changes that accompany these disorders can be related to practices used by today's operators-primarily being seated for prolonged periods. Studies associated such postures with increased disk pressures and spinal hypomobility, which are factors that may lead to degenerative changes within the lumbar spine and low back pain or injury. There is a relationship shown between prolonged, static (motionless) muscle contractions and muscle ischemia or necrosis. Weak postural muscles of the trunk and shoulder may lead to poor operator posture. As muscles adapt by lengthening or shortening to accommodate these postures, a muscle imbalance may result, leading to structural damage and pain. A significant number of today's dental operators experience musculoskeletal pain and are at risk of developing serious MSDs. A thorough understanding of the underlying physiological mechanisms leading to these problems is necessary to develop and implement a comprehensive approach to minimize the risks of a work-related injury.
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              Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in physical therapists: a prospective cohort study with 1-year follow-up.

              K Koenig, Margareta Nordin, T Weiser … (2008)
              Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have a significant impact on physical therapists, but few studies have addressed the issue. Research is needed to determine the scope of the problem and the effects of specific risk factors. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the 1-year incidence rate of WMSDs in physical therapists and (2) to determine the effects of specific risk factors. This was a prospective cohort study with 1-year follow-up. Subjects were randomly selected American Physical Therapy Association members (N=882). Exposure assessment included demographic data, physical risk factors, job strain, and specific physical therapy tasks. The primary outcome was WMSDs, with a severity rating of at least 4/10 and present at least once a month or lasting longer than a week. The response rate to the baseline questionnaire was 67%. Ninety-three percent of the subjects who responded to the baseline questionnaire responded to the follow-up questionnaire. The 1-year incidence rate of WMSDs was 20.7%. Factors that increased the risk for WMSDs included patient transfers, patient repositioning, bent or twisted postures, joint mobilization, soft tissue work, and job strain. The primary limitation of this study was the number of therapists who had a change in their job situation during the follow-up year. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent in physical therapists. Physical therapy exposures, patient handling, and manual therapy, in particular, increase the risk for WMSDs.
              Article 0 comments Cited 39 times – based on 0 reviews     Review now
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                Author and article information

                Journal
                Journal ID (nlm-ta): J Phys Ther Sci
                Journal ID (iso-abbrev): J Phys Ther Sci
                Journal ID (publisher-id): JPTS
                Title: Journal of Physical Therapy Science
                Publisher: The Society of Physical Therapy Science
                ISSN (Print): 0915-5287
                ISSN (Electronic): 2187-5626
                Publication date (Electronic): 30 September 2015
                Publication date (Print): September 2015
                Volume: 27
                Issue: 9
                Pages: 2803-2806
                Affiliations
                [1) ] Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
                [2) ] Kasr Al-Aini Teaching Hospitals, Cairo University, Egypt
                [3) ] King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
                [4) ] Faculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
                Author notes
                [* ]Corresponding author. Samira Al Senany, Faculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University: P.O. Box 22246, Jeddah 4929, Saudi Arabia. (E-mail: salsenany@ 123456kau.edu.sa )
                Article
                Publisher ID: jpts-2015-335
                DOI: 10.1589/jpts.27.2803
                PMC ID: 4616098
                PubMed ID: 26504297
                SO-VID: 7629df4d-1c66-4835-90c3-aec653b27640
                Copyright © 2015©by the Society of Physical Therapy Science. Published by IPEC Inc.
                License:

                This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (by-nc-nd) License.

                History
                Date received : 24 April 2015
                Date accepted : 03 June 2015
                Categories
                Subject: Original Article

                Keywords: dentists,back,risk
                Data availability:
                Keywords: dentists, back, risk

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