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Musculoskeletal Disorders among Italian Dentists and Dental Hygienists

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  • Maria Giovanna Gandolfi

    (Dental School, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy
    Program in Ergonomics, Posturology and Yoga therapy for the Degree Course in Dentistry and for the Degree Course in Dental Hygiene, School of Medicine, University of Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy
    Program in Yoga Therapy for the Specialization Course in Sports Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy)

  • Fausto Zamparini

    (Dental School, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy)

  • Andrea Spinelli

    (Dental School, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy)

  • Alessandro Risi

    (Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

  • Carlo Prati

    (Dental School, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

Dental professionals often perform physically and mentally demanding therapeutical procedures. They work maintaining muscular imbalance and asymmetrical positions for a long time. The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence and the factors associated to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) among Italian dental professionals and the most affected body regions. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted between March 2019 and February 2020. The Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) was implemented with questions related to working habits (dental occupation, working hours per week and per days, years of work) and lifestyle (practiced physical activity, including frequency and duration, mobilization activities, and knowledge of ergonomic guidelines) was used. The-chi square test was carried out to detect any statistically significant difference ( p < 0.05). Logistic regression was carried out to detect the most significant factors associated to WMSD occurrence. A total of 284 questionnaires have been used for the analysis. A high proportion of dental professionals (84.6%) were affected by WMSD in the last 12 months. A higher prevalence was found in females (87%) when compared to males (80%). The prevalence of WMSD was correlated to the working hours/day and hour/week, with a higher risk for operators working >5 h/day and >30 h/week. In addition, a high prevalence was found in operators working for 2–5 years after graduation. Most of the surveyed dental professionals practiced physical activity (70.1%) but only a few had satisfactorily knowledge of ergonomic guidelines (12.7%). Interestingly, participants who practiced yoga or stretching as physical activities demonstrated lower WMSD (77%) when compared to other physical activities (84%). We can highlight that generic physical activities have no functional effect on WMSD for dental professionals. The most affected body areas were neck (59.9%), shoulders (43.3%), lumbar region (52.1%), dorsal region (37.7%) and wrists (30.6%). Considering the magnitude of the problem, there is an urgent need to implement the education in ergonomics among dental professionals, that may be achieved by teaching biomechanics, posturology and integrative functional therapies (such as yoga) during the university education and by promoting holistic health of dental operators.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Giovanna Gandolfi & Fausto Zamparini & Andrea Spinelli & Alessandro Risi & Carlo Prati, 2021. "Musculoskeletal Disorders among Italian Dentists and Dental Hygienists," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:5:p:2705-:d:512592
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Janna Lietz & Agnessa Kozak & Albert Nienhaus, 2018. "Prevalence and occupational risk factors of musculoskeletal diseases and pain among dental professionals in Western countries: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(12), pages 1-26, December.
    2. Daniela Ohlendorf & Antonia Naser & Yvonne Haas & Jasmin Haenel & Laura Fraeulin & Fabian Holzgreve & Christina Erbe & Werner Betz & Eileen M. Wanke & Doerthe Brueggmann & Albert Nienhaus & David A. G, 2020. "Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Dentists and Dental Students in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-19, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Daniela Ohlendorf & Laura Fraeulin & Jasmin Haenel & Werner Betz & Christina Erbe & Fabian Holzgreve & Eileen M. Wanke & Doerthe Brueggmann & Albert Nienhaus & Christian Maurer-Grubinger & David A. Gr, 2021. "Ergonomic Comparison of Four Dental Workplace Concepts Using Inertial Motion Capture for Dentists and Dental Assistants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-14, October.
    2. Lenka Hodačová & Nela Pilbauerová & Eva Čermáková & Stanislav Machač & Jan Schmidt & Jan Hodač & Martin Kapitán, 2022. "The Prevalence and Development of Neck and Lower Back Pain and Associated Factors in Dentistry Students—A Long-Term Prospective Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-12, July.
    3. Wita Anggraini & Dewi Ranggaini & Annisaa Putri Ariyani & Indrani Sulistyowati, 2024. "World Trends in Dental Ergonomics Research: A Bibliometric Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-21, April.
    4. Hadeel R. Bakhsh & Heba H. Bakhsh & Seham M. Alotaibi & Maha A. Abuzaid & Latefah A. Aloumi & Shoug F. Alorf, 2021. "Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptoms in Saudi Allied Dental Professionals: Is there an Underestimation of Related Occupational Risk Factors?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-18, September.
    5. Yan Yang & Jiancheng Zeng & Yimin Liu & Zhongxu Wang & Ning Jia & Zhi Wang, 2022. "Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Their Associated Risk Factors among Furniture Manufacturing Workers in Guangdong, China: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-15, November.
    6. Maria Antoniadou, 2022. "Quality of Life and Satisfaction from Career and Work–Life Integration of Greek Dentists before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-13, August.

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