Prevalence of Neck Pain in Dental Surgeons
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Cervical pain, or cervicalgia, is increasingly recognized as a significant occupational hazard among dental surgeons. The demands of dental practice, including prolonged static postures and repetitive motions, have been implicated in the development of musculoskeletal disorders, with a notable impact on the cervical spine.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cervical pain among dental surgeons and identify associated risk factors, focusing on the impact of work-related postures.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 90 dental surgeons from June to December 2022, employing non-probability convenience sampling. Participants were recruited from Farooq Hospital (Westwood branch), Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, and Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore. Inclusion criteria targeted dental surgeons aged 20 to 35 years, excluding those over 35, dental assistants, other medical doctors, and individuals with cervical spondylosis. Pain intensity was measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, with quantitative variables presented as means, standard deviations, ranges, and histograms, and categorical variables as frequencies and percentages.
Results: The study found that 83% of the participating dental surgeons experienced neck pain, attributable to faulty work postures. The age distribution of participants was primarily within the 20-25 age group (65.6%), and a significant majority were females (62.2%). Regarding pain intensity, 50% reported mild pain, 27.8% moderate pain, and 5.6% severe pain, with 16.7% reporting no pain.
Conclusion: The high prevalence of cervical pain among dental surgeons underscores the critical need for ergonomic intervention and awareness in dental practice. Implementing ergonomic principles and promoting a better understanding of occupational health risks can potentially reduce the incidence of cervical pain and improve the overall well-being of dental professionals.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Hoy D, Protani M, De R, Buchbinder R. The epidemiology of neck pain. Best practice & research Clinical rheumatology. 2010;24(6):783-92.
Kawtharani AA, Chemeisani A, Salman F, Younes AH, Msheik A, Salman Jr F. Neck and musculoskeletal pain among dentists: A review of the literature. Cureus. 2023;15(1).
Ariens GA, Van Mechelen W, Bongers PM, Bouter LM, Van Der Wal G. Physical risk factors for neck pain. Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health. 2000:7-19.
Macrì M, Flores NVG, Festa F. Interpreting the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain impacting Italian and Peruvian dentists likewise: A cross-sectional study. Frontiers in public health. 2023;11:1090683.
Binder AI. Cervical spondylosis and neck pain. Bmj. 2007;334(7592):527-31.
Gandolfi MG, Zamparini F, Spinelli A, Prati C. Āsana for neck, shoulders, and wrists to prevent musculoskeletal disorders among dental professionals: in-office yóga protocol. Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology. 2023;8(1):26.
Weber P, Corrêa ECR, Ferreira FdS, Soares JC, Bolzan GdP, Silva AMTd. Cervical spine dysfunction signs and symptoms in individuals with temporomandibular disorder. Jornal da Sociedade Brasileira de Fonoaudiologia. 2012;24:134-9.
Chopra S, Pandey S. Occupational hazards among dental surgeons. Medical Journal Armed Forces India. 2007;63(1):23-5.
Shaik AR, Rao SB, Husain A, D'sa J. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among dental surgeons: A pilot study. Contemporary clinical dentistry. 2011;2(4):308-12.
Almas K, Al Wazzan KA, Al Shethri SE, Al Qahtani MQ. Back & Neck problems among dentists and dental auxiliaries. The journal of contemporary dental practice. 2001;2(3):1-10.
O'leary S, Falla D, Elliott JM, Jull G. Muscle dysfunction in cervical spine pain: implications for assessment and management. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy. 2009;39(5):324-33.
Petersen SM, Wyatt SN. Lower trapezius muscle strength in individuals with unilateral neck pain. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy. 2011;41(4):260-5.
Valachi B, Valachi K. Mechanisms leading to musculoskeletal disorders in dentistry. The Journal of the American Dental Association. 2003;134(10):1344-50.
Van Eerd M, Patijn J, Lataster A, Rosenquist RW, Van Kleef M, Mekhail N, et al. Cervical facet pain. Evidence‐Based Interventional Pain Medicine: According to Clinical Diagnoses. 2011:31-9.
Cohen SP, editor Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of neck pain. Mayo Clinic Proceedings; 2015: Elsevier.
Guez M, Hildingsson C, Nilsson M, Toolanen G. The prevalence of neck pain. Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica. 2002;73(4):455-9.
Suganthirababu P, Parveen A, Mohan Krishna P, Sivaram B, Kumaresan A, Srinivasan V, et al. Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among health care professionals: A systematic review. Work. 2023;74(2):455-67.
Rahmani N, Amiri M, Ali Mohseni-Bandpei M, Mohsenifar H, Pourahmadi MR. Work related neck pain in Iranian dentists: An epidemiological study. Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. 2013;26(1):9-15.
Baig NN, Aleem SA. Occupational hazards among dental surgeons in Karachi. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2016;26(4):320-2.
Tareen SUK, Khattak Y. ERGONOMICS RELATED DISORDER AMONG DENTISTS IN PESHAWAR–A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY. Journal of Khyber College of Dentisrty. 2013;3(2):24-9.
Akesson I, Lundborg G, Horstmann V, Skerfving S. Neuropathy in female dental personnel exposed to high frequency vibrations. Occupational and environmental medicine. 1995;52(2):116.
Howarth AL, Hallbeck MS, Lemaine V, Singh DJ, Noland SS. Work-related musculoskeletal discomfort and injury in craniofacial and maxillofacial surgeons. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. 2019;30(7):1982-5.
Meisha DE, Alsharqawi NS, Samarah AA, Al-Ghamdi MY. Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomic practice among dentists in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dentistry. 2019:171-9.
Szymanska J. Occupational hazards of dentistry. Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine. 1999;6(1).