Volume : 6, Issue : 12, December - 2017

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the dental profession and its prevention- Review.

Dr. Zuber Ahamed Naqvi, Zameer Pasha, Saleem Shaikh

Abstract :

<p>&nbsp;<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Aim: This review provide a detailed examination and discussion about the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in dental staff, possible etiological factors and its prevention.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:&#10;200%;font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Material and methods:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"> This systematic review was carried out on Medline by the keywords &ldquo;dental staff&rdquo;, &ldquo;ergonomics&rdquo; and &ldquo;musculoskeletal disorders&rdquo;. Study design, method of data collection, assessment tools and results obtained in the respective study were noted.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:&#10;200%;font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Results:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"> Dental staff has a higher prevalence of profession related musculoskeletal disorders. Risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in dentistry include -sub-optimal work-environment-ergonomics that might be responsible for improper positioning, prolonged awkward postures and movements, causing unnecessary musculoskeletal loading, discomfort and fatigue. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:&#10;200%;font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Conclusion:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"> This review shows that dental professionals are at higher risk for musculoskeletal disorders. Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders is possible by using proper ergonomically designed dental equipment, maintaining proper posture during clinical work and stretching and strengthening exercises.<o:p></o:p></span></p>