Introduction
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) is one of the major problems facing healthcare professionals particularly dental and dental sanitation practitioners (Dayakar, Gupta, Philip & Pai, 2013). Studies indicate increased prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among health professionals. Besides, probable contributing factors have also been identified.
Associative risk factors that have been identified include inert and uncomfortable positions during work as well as unhealthy occupational practices.
Essentially, musculoskeletal disorders include a variety of ill health ranging from minor ephemeral disorders to irreparable disabling injuries (AlWazzan, Almas, ElShethri & AlQuahtani, 2001). While the problem is caused by various factors, this study focuses on the musculoskeletal disorders induced and aggravated by the occupational practices among dental health workers.
Discussion
Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Dental Professionals
Currently, dental personnel have experienced increased problems associated with musculoskeletal disorders. Studies indicate high prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders among dentists. In fact, most dentists that have been studied report pains in the back and wrists. Such reported pains are considered possible symptoms of the disorder.
Besides, researches indicate that MSD in dentistry is one of the major contributing factors to sick leaves and reduced productivity (Leggat & Smith, 2006). In addition, wide varieties of causative factors ranging from poor work practices to ignorance of right positions during work processes have been attributed to increased prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among the dental and dental hygiene practitioners.
However, the physical burden associated with clinical work has been identified as the major causative factor of MSD among the dental health workers. Parts of the body likely to be affected by work burden and poor physical postures among the dental professionals include backbone, wrists and neck support systems (Hayes, Cockrell & Smith, 2009).
Causes
Musculoskeletal disorders usually occur when important body support system is highly constraint. In other words, the skeletal system of an individual is exposed to increased work constraints compared with required load-bearing capacity. The result is injuries in the skeletal support system. In most cases, muscle sprains as well as irritations in joints identify injuries in the skeletal support systems.
The injuries may be severe when the bones and cartilages have undergone serious degeneration (Smith, Mihashi, Adachi, Koga & Ishtake, 2006). Besides, musculoskeletal disorders normally result in two different types of injuries including acute and chronic bone damages. Increased pain in joints and tendon insertions characterize acute injuries.
Acute injuries are caused by strong and short-term heavy load, which put a sudden strain on the support system. On the other hand, chronic injuries are characterized by prolonged pain in tendons and ligaments that connect the skeletal system.
Chronic injuries results from permanent overload that put constant strain on the support system. Surprisingly, majority ignore chronic injuries due to their incapability of causing immediate health problems (Valachi & Valachi, 2003).
Risk Factors
Risks usually occur because of exposure to harmful situations. A number of risk factors are associated with musculoskeletal disorders. Besides, researches indicate that young professionals in dental surgery have greater degree of exposure to risk factors compared with older dentists (Lindfors, Von Thiele & Lundberg, 2006). The demanding nature of clinical work contributes immensely to the development of MSD.
Dentists working for long hours using repetitive motions and vibrating instruments are likely to develop the disorder (Dong, Loomer, Barr, Laroche, Young & Rempel, 2007). Similarly, dentists in a high work zone with unsupported forearms that put a lot of pressure on their locomotors apparatus are likely to develop the disorder.
Additionally, long-lasting repetitive muscles during a particular work process may lead to permanent changes in muscle structure of an individual. Besides, the working postures of dental health workers are equally a contributing risk factor (Marklin & Cherney, 2005). Generally, it is evident that the working posture of dentists contributes to musculoskeletal problems associated with the profession.
Prevention Strategies
Appropriate ergonomic practices have been identified as one of the preventive measures of MSD. Dentists should opt for appropriate equipments that allow comfortable postures, minimize vibrations and create appropriate positioning of patients. Identifying and mitigating early symptoms of MSD would go a long way in preventing musculoskeletal problems (Amell & Kumar, 2001).
Members of a dental team should operate from a wide counter and adjustable surfaces that facilitate an easier access to devices and tools during diagnosis.
Using instruments with large diameters would require less griping force resulting in reduced risk of repetitive strain injuries. In addition, textured instruments require easy grip compared with plain instruments. Finally, dentists are encouraged to work with assistants to avoid unnecessary movements.
Conclusion
In summary, it is evident that MSD is one of the major concerns in occupational health particularly among dental professionals. Risk factors for the disorder normally arise when constraints exerted by the workload and functional capacity of the support system is not at equilibrium.
The demanding nature of a dentist’s work, increased repetitive frequency in work processes, static muscle forces and the working postures of dental health workers have been identified as the main accelerators of musculoskeletal problems. As such, a balance work schedules and appropriate occupational practices can help in the prevention of musculoskeletal problems.
References
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