Musculoskeletal pain and ergonomic aspects of dentistry

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Dentists are considered professionals highly vulnerable to occupational problems and such injuries are sometimes caused by adopted postures and repetitive efforts during their work. This study aimed at checking the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and to observe whether the work of dentists acting in both public and private sectors was carried out ergonomically. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and observational study with dentists (n=80). A self-applicable questionnaire was used to check the frequency of musculoskeletal pain and occupational injuries, as well as to record labor activities, practice of physical activity and their frequencies. Professionals were observed while carrying out dental assistance based on recommendations of the document “Adopting a healthy sitting working posture during patient treatment”, which is part of the International Standards Organization standardization 106/SC 6 N 411 from 2006. RESULTS: There has been job-related pain in at least 65.67% of dentists. The number of individuals adopting incorrect and inadequate positions during assistance was high, such as: head rotation (73.13%); spine rotation (47.76%) and legs angle less than 90o (91.04%). Medical leaves related to occupational injuries were found in a greater proportion among public service professionals (64%). CONCLUSION: There has been high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain related to inadequate postures adopted during clinical assistance and to long working hours without pause.