Meenakshi S
Introduction: Dynamic and static activities in dentistry, cause musculoskeletal disorders but dentists do not have enough awareness about effects of ergonomic factors on their health. Literature reviews world over have shown a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among dental practitioners.
Aim: Correlation of the ergonomic factors and its association with age, gender, and work environment, musculoskeletal problems due to wrong postures and identify prophylactic measures used as self management strategies for prevention.
Material and Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted between August 2012- December 2013 in which a self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the musculoskeletal symptoms among dental practitioners. The recorded data was analyzed with SPSS 13. P-value 0.05 was considered to statistically significant.
Results: One hundred and twenty dental practitioners participated in the study of which seventy-eight percent had a prevalence of at least one work related musculoskeletal disorder symptom (WMSD). The response rate was 56.07%. Most common areas affected by MSD in order of magnitude were neck (50%), low back (14.2%), shoulders (21.7%) and stiffness in fingers (21.7%). A significant association was observed between hours of practice, age, body posture and occurrence of WMSD.
Conclusions: In conclusion it was observed that limited ergonomics in the work environment resulted in WMSD among dentists.
