Prevalence of musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders among dentists

Abstract

Annotation. Performing their professional activities, dentists are exposed to a significant number of occupational hazards. This causes the appearance of various pathologies characteristic of this profession, which develop and intensify over the years. The aim was to study the prevalence of musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders among dentists by means of an anonymous questionnaire. Using the developed questionnaire, 129 answers of dentists of various specialties were analyzed (therapeutic dentistry – 56.6% of doctors, orthopedic dentistry – 14%, pediatric dentistry – 10.8%, surgical dentistry – 9.3%, orthodontics – 9.3%), including 86 women (66.7%) and 43 men (33.3%). Statistical data processing was carried out using Statistica 6.1 Microsoft Excel 2010, the confidence interval of the sample with a probability of 95% was ±8.6%. 89.9% of the interviewees complain of back pain, headache – 72.9%, posture disorders – 67.4%, upper extremity diseases – 57.4%. 73% of doctors associate these problems of the musculoskeletal and nervous system with professional activity. An affirmative positive answer to the question of whether they adhere to ergonomic work principles gave only 20.2% of respondents. Almost 50% of the respondents have never participated in master classes or lectures devoted to the ergonomics of movements at a dental appointment. The obtained data stimulate further research in this direction, which will allow the development of preventive measures.