Abstract
BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD's) are on the rise worldwide. These disorders have numerous repercussions, from serious ill-health effects at the individual level to decreased workplace efficiency and productivity affecting not only quality of life but the economy.
OBJECTIVE: This review aims to provide an overview of WMSD's in the dental profession, more specifically, among general dental practitioners and specialist orthodontists.
METHODS: Literature was hand searched from Pubmed with greater emphasis on contemporary literature as the professionals demands have evolved over the years.
RESULTS: While there have been numerous papers published relating to the prevalence of ergonomic problems among general dentists, orthodontists have received little investigation.
CONCLUSION: This review highlights the need for research into the risk factors of WMSD's in the dental profession (both general dentistry and orthodontics), as this would provide a more direct approach for prevention which is essential as professionals work for longer years in practice.
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