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LOWER LIMBS MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS AMONG DENTISTS FROM CONSTANTA

C. G. Puscasu, L. C. Petcu

Abstract

The risk of having a musculoskeletal injury or work-related disorder may be high in dental practice. Sit-down dentistry is not without potential harm to the dentist or if equipment or other constraints create postural problems. Surveys of musculoskeletal disorders of dentists are few, and lower limbs pathology is sometimes neglected. {{The aim}} of this paper is to investigate occupational health problems involving lower limbs in Romanian dentists who work in Constanta city. {{Method}}. A pre-tested, self-administrated questionnaire was used to assess the lower-limb musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The questionnaire distributed had 45 questions, about working posture, working hours per week, opinion about risk factors for MSDs, presence and symptoms of lower limb MDSs (if exist), treatment applied in connection with disorder, prophylactic activity in connection with musculoskeletal system (type, effectiveness). A number of 244 questionnaires were sent to dentists from Constanta by post. The responsive rate was 40,9%, 100 correct filled questionnaires were used for the final study. Statistical analysis was done using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS statistics software version 20. Results. The majority (52%) of participants are young, with age less than 35 years old. Women were in higher number (64%) than men (36%), which may correspond to the tendency of the feminization on the profession of dentistry. Great majority of the dentists (93%) were general dentists, who do all type of dental treatments. Most of dentists (59%) spend between 5 and 8 hours daily working in the dental office, but 30% work even more than 8 hours per day. 49% of the dentists work in both standing and sitting position, 22% work only in sitting position and the rest (29%) are working only in standing position. 64% of the dentists reported having lower limb disorders, among which 29 are experiencing permanent troubles. The main complaints were: pain (26 dentists), slight disturbance (26 dentists) and burning sensation (10 dentists). Most common areas affected by MSD in order of magnitude were: foot (15%), knee (11%), hip (11%), ankle (11%) and whole lower limb (10%). Static position and prolonged activity were main aggravating conditions, according to respondents. Moreover, significant relationship was found between standing position and MSDs. Conclusion. Limited ergonomic in the dental office results in lower limb MSDs and its prevalence is very high. The prevention and reduction of MSDs among dentists should include a better dental ergonomics education and understanding of the importance of work-related factors.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgemsocial2017/33/S12.051

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