Risk Factors of Musculoskeletal Problems among Dental Professionals in a Dental Institute: A Cross-sectional Survey (original) (raw)

2021, World Journal of Dentistry

Original research to maximize operators capabilities and at the same time ensure maximum operator safety. Hence, the present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and identify the risk factors of MSD among dental healthcare professionals in a dental institute in Maharashtra, India. IntroductIon As per the World Health Organization (WHO), musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are called work-related when the "working activities and conditions significantly induce and exacerbate them." 1 MSDs are widespread and have a huge impact in the modern society. 2 MSDs are common in several workplaces and it is considered as the second most common workplace hazard after the respiratory diseases. 3 MSDs are notoriously known to cause physical as well as financial morbidity in the Indian subcontinent annually incurring upto 40% of all the costs of work-related injuries. 2 Health care profession is known to be at a high risk for Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). It is estimated that almost one-third of all cases of sick leave among healthcare workers are related to MSDs. 2 MSDs have a high prevalence rate of 60-90% in dental professionals in India due to various factors like prolonged static posture, long operating periods, handling of delicate instruments with significant force, etc. 4 Commonly arising complaints reported in previous studies are back, neck, shoulder and wrist/ thumb problems. 2,3,5,6 Long-term usage of high frequency vibrational instruments is also known to cause minor hand neuropathy. 5,7 Ergonomics is derived from Greek Word Ergo means work and Nomos means natural laws. Ergonomics therefore is defined as "an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely. 8 Dentists have to retain prolong static postures, and perform continuous neck, arms, shoulder and hand movements; either in sitting or standing position which may result in discomfort in various body parts. If these repeated discomforts are neglected, they are likely to cause long-term musculoskeletal as well as psychological problems leading to decline in the performance and productivity.