Title Dentists’ Awareness of Correct Working Postures In Reducing Pain Associated With Musculoskeletal Disorders
Clinical Question Is dentists’ awareness of correct working postures effective in reducing musculoskeletal pain compared to dentists who are unaware of correct working postures?
Clinical Bottom Line Dentists can effectively reduce MSD pain by being aware of correct working postures.
Best Evidence  
PubMed ID Author / Year Patient Group Study type
(level of evidence)
22313919 Kanteshwari/2011500 Indian Dentists Structured Questionnaire Format
Key resultsThe study addressed the interrelationship between practices of working postures with the presence of pain in different body parts. Data were sorted on the noted presence or absence of neck, back and shoulder pain. Correct or incorrect postures that corresponded to specific problems were tabulated. Right answers were evaluated as correct practice of postures and wrong answers for improper practices. Out of 160 dentists who had neck pain, 102 had indicated improper neck positions. Incorrect postures had a significant correlation to neck pain (P<0.0001). A significant number of dentists who did not suffer neck pain exhibited proper knowledge of neck postures. Out of 159 dentists, 112 positioned their backs improperly. The incorrect posture had a significant correlation with back pain (P=0.0001). A significant number of the 46 who did not suffer back pain exhibited correct knowledge of back postures. 104 indicated the presence of shoulder pain. 72 did not practice proper positioning of the upper arm. The incorrect posture practice had a significant correlation with shoulder pain (P=0.0001). Incorrect positioning of the shoulder (noted in 36 of 104 suffering shoulder pain) showed no correlation with shoulder pain and no statistical significance was observed (P=0.52). Correct positioning of the upper arm and shoulder correlated with non-prevalence of pain that was statically significant. Among the dentists who did not suffer any MSDs, more than 70% exhibited a greater awareness level regarding ergonomic postures. The results of this study revealed an alarming prevalence of 91% MSDs among the responding dentists with neck, back and shoulders reported as the areas of greatest pain.
Evidence Search The following search strategy used in PubMed: Ergonomics in Dentistry, Musculoskeletal Pain, Working Postures in Dentistry
Comments on
The Evidence
The study represented the most prevalent body areas affected among those dentists who exhibited MSD pain. The criteria for each area of the body having pain were explicit and credible. The diagnostic work-up was comprehensive and consistently applied. The follow-up on the initially undiagnosed dentists was not done in this study. The author’s position as Professor and Head of the Department of Periodontics (Modern Dental College and Research Centre in Indore, India)- did not indicate competing interests.
Applicability The participating dentists were representative of the profession (general dentists as well as specialists). The treatment of MSD pain is feasible in the dental operatory. Dentists face potential career ending disabilities if the awareness of correct working postures is absent in their daily practices. Conversely, if dentists are aware of correct working postures they experience less MSD pain. Dentists practicing with the awareness of correct working postures can expect to be more productive as a result of less MSD pain and very few missed work days.
Specialty (Endodontics) (General Dentistry) (Oral Surgery) (Orthodontics) (Pediatric Dentistry) (Periodontics) (Prosthodontics) (Restorative Dentistry) (Dental Hygiene)
Keywords Ergonomics in Dentistry, Musculoskeletal Pain and Working Postures in Dentists
ID# 2336
Date of submission 02/19/2013
E-mail ronald.brown@ucdenver.edu
Author Ronald N. Brown, DDS
Co-author(s)
Co-author(s) e-mail
Faculty mentor
Faculty mentor e-mail
   
Basic Science Rationale
(Mechanisms that may account for and/or explain the clinical question, i.e. is the answer to the clinical question consistent with basic biological, physical and/or behavioral science principles, laws and research?)
None available
spacer
Comments and Evidence-Based Updates on the CAT
(FOR PRACTICING DENTISTS', FACULTY, RESIDENTS and/or STUDENTS COMMENTS ON PUBLISHED CATs)
None available