ERGONOMIC AWARENESS SURVEY: EXAMINING MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN PREVALENCE AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS AMONG DENTAL PROFESSIONAL IN A SAMPLE OF INDIAN POPULATION

Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is a serious workplace hazard for dental professionals. Efforts have been made to investigate the prevalence of MSDs and risk factors in various Indian regions. However, these are primarily tied to workplace risk factors and overlook the impact of lifestyle and ergonomic awareness as risk factors for MSP in dentists. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of MSP among dental professionals and its associated work, lifestyle, and awareness-related risk factors. Material and methods: A cross-sectional observational research design were conducted among dental professionals working in the clinical facilities. The snowball sampling technique was employed to choose participants. The data collection tool was administered via a Google Form survey. Categorical variables were reported as frequency and percentage. Chi-square was applied with a P-value <0.05 as significant. Results: 120 dental practitioners were enrolled in the study. 53.3% of participants reported having work-related MSD. Male professionals had a greater incidence (55.6%) than their female counterparts (48.7%). The most commonly reported specific discomforts were back/neck pain (18.3%), isolated neck pain (15.8%), and back pain (12.5%). The number of hours worked each day (p=0.001), type of activity (p=0.022), work stress (p=0.001), and ergonomics in the curriculum (p=0.039) differed significantly between male and female participants. Medical problems (p=0.001) and their types (p=0.022), dental support during practice (p=0.005), and ergonomics in the dental curriculum (0.005) varied significantly among age groups. Conclusion: There is a significant prevalence of work-related MSP among Indian dentists, particularly in males over 40 years age. Factors such as physical activity, stress levels, co-existing medical conditions, and exposure to ergonomic education may influence the prevalence of MSDs. Thus, there is a need for continuing education programs and advocating for more comprehensive training in ergonomic practices to mitigate the risk of MSDs among dental professionals.