Prevalence of common work related musculoskeletal disorders among the dentists at two selected dental college hospitals

Abstract

Increasing evidence suggests that musculoskeletal disorders are common in workers in the health care industry. Many literatures suggest that dentists are at high risk of work related musculoskeletal disorder. So, the objective of this research was carried out to identify the prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders among dentists of Bangladesh. Method: The prospective quantitative research was carried out to accomplish the objective of the study. 40 participants among the dentists were selected as simple random sampling technique. The investigator used a mix of both structured and semi-structured questionnaire and participants were requested to give opinion based on the structure of the question. Data were numerically coded and put in both Excel and SPSS 16.0 version software program. Descriptive statistics was performed to obtain the result of the study. Results: The result of the study shows that n=32, (80.0%) participants have had Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WRMD) and male shows greater prevalence n=21, (65.6%). The participants who were in between 30-37 years most commonly suffered from WRMD n=11, (34.4%). Greater prevalence of WRMD of dentists were n=9, (28.1%) who had body weight more than 75 kg. The duration of job experience have been played a vital role in development of WRMD. Dentists who had job experience in between 7-10 years n=10, (31.2%) most commonly suffered by the WRMD. Most frequent first experience of WRMD n=10, (31.2%) participants had job experience first 5 years of work. Most common symptom was pain n=20, (62.5%) and the most affected body part was neck n=18, (56.2%). N=12, 37.5% participants have repeated exposure that means participants had to perform same task repeatedly over a long period of time where as n=9, (28.2%) used to maintain awkward or cramped position. An initial diagnosis was performed among n=8, (25.0%) cases. The diagnosis of the disease reveals that positive cervical spondylosis n=6, (18.8%) and PLID n=2, (6.2%). Just n=8, (25.0%) v have taken physiotherapy treatment during their problem and n=7, (87.5%) have good improvement through Physiotherapy management. Conclusion: Work related musculoskeletal disorders represent a significant burden for dental profession. The high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the spine is a concern for the occupational health in dentists. In order to reduce spine problems, correct postural practices, relaxation interval sessions during work could be utilized. More research should now be undertaken on musculoskeletal problems in dentists, with an emphasis on larger sample sizes and response rate to be able to generalize the results and conclusions.