Dentistry is a profession where musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent. Physical demands and static awkward postures increase the risks of dentists developing musculoskeletal disorders. In addition, researchers have identified psychosocial factors that can influence the health of workers.
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this research is to present self-reported pain regions and to assess psychosocial work factors as they relate to dentistry.
METHOD:
Fourteen dentists participated in the study. Data was collected via a questionnaire administered prior to the start of and during the study. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.
RESULTS:
All dentists self-reported to be in good to excellent health and only 50% sought medical treatment for work-related discomfort and pain. Thirteen of 14 reported being at least occasionally mentally and physically exhausted after work. A musculoskeletal disorder–work hour relationship model was created. Feedback given was linked to four psychosocial factors –job demand, job control, social interactions, and job future and career issues.
CONCLUSIONS:
The dental profession is considered a highly cognitive profession where much attention has been placed on the physical demands due to awkward postures. While physical demands are validated, additional research will further validate the link between psychosocial and mental and physical demands.
MunsonB, VujicicM. Number of practicing dentists per capita in the United States will grow steadily. Health Policy Institute Research Brief. American Dental Association, 2016.
2.
AkessonI, HanssonGA, BaloghI, MoritzU, SkerfvingS. Quantifying work load in neck, shoulders and wrists in female dentists. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 1997;69(6):461–74.
3.
AkessonI, JohnssonB, RylanderL, MoritzU, SkerfvingS. Musculoskeletal disorders among female dental personnel – clinical examination and a 5-year follow-up study of symptoms. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 1999;72(6):395–403.
4.
LeggatPA, KedjaruneU, SmithDR. Occupational health problems in modern dentistry: A review. Indust Health. 2007;45(5):611–621.
5.
MorseT, BruneauH, DussetschlegerJ. Musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and shoulder in the dental professions. Work. 2010;35(4):419–429.
6.
Pope-FordRD. Assessment of neck and shoulder muscle coactivations and the effect on the musculoskeletal system [Ph.D.]. Ann Arbor: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; 2013.
7.
FinsenL, ChristensenH. A biomechanical study of occupational loads in the shoulder and elbow in dentistry. Clin Biomech. 1998;13(4-5):272–79.
8.
FinsenL, ChristensenH, BakkeM. Musculoskeletal disorders among dentists and variation in dental work. Appl Ergon. 1998;29(2):119–25.
9.
GuayA. Commentary: Ergonomically related disorders in dental practice. J Am Dent Assoc. 1998;129(2):184–186.
10.
BrownJ, BurkeFJT, MacdonaldEB, et al.Dental practitioners and ill health retirement: Causes, outcomes and re-employment. Br Dent J. 2010;209(5):E7.
11.
PurieneA, AleksejunieneJ, PetrauskieneJ, BalciunieneI, JanulyteV. Self-perceived mental health and job satisfaction among Lithuanian dentists. Indust Health. 2008;46(3):247–52.
12.
PurieneA, AleksejunieneJ, PetrauskieneJ, BalciunieneI, JanulyteV. Self-reported occupational health issues among Lithuanian dentists. Indust Health. 2008;46(4):369–74.
13.
BaranR. Myers Briggs Type Indicator, burnout, and satisfaction in Illinois dentists. Gen Dent. 2005;53(3):228–34, quiz 235.
14.
CarayonP, LimS-Y. Psychosocial work factors. In: Marras WS, Karwowski W, editors. The occupational ergonomics handbook: Fundamentals and assessment tools for occupational ergonomics (2nd ed). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2006:26-21-26-29.
15.
KarasekRA. Job demands, job decision latitude, and mental strain – implications for job redesign. Admin Sci Q. 1979;24(2):285–308.
16.
PurieneA, JanulyteV, MusteikyteM, BendinskaiteR. General health of dentists. Literature review. Stomatologija. 2007;9(1):10–20.
17.
AlexopoulosEC, StathiI-C, CharizaniF. Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in dentists. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2004;5(1):1.
18.
TakakiJ, TaniguchiT, FukuokaE, et al.Workplace bullying could play important roles in the relationships between job strain and symptoms of depression and sleep disturbance. J Occup Health. 2010;52(6):367–74.
19.
BerthelsenH, HjalmersK, SoderfeldtB. Perceived social support in relation to work among Danish general dental practitioners in private practices. Eur J Oral Sci. 2008;116(2):157–163.
20.
VahteraJ, KivimäkiM, PenttiJ, TheorellT. Effect of change in the psychosocial work environment on sickness absence: A seven year follow up of initially healthy employees. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2000;54(7):484–93.
21.
Council on Clinical Affairs. Policy on workforce issues and delivery of oral health care sercices in a dental home. Pediatr Dent. 2015;37(6):26–29.
22.
DeckerSL. MEdicaid payment levels to dentists and access to dental care among children and adolescents. JAMA. 2011;306(2):187–93.
23.
DamianoPC, BrownE, JohnsonJ, ScheetzJ. Factors affecting dentist participation in a state Medicaid program. J Dent Educ. 1990;54(11):638–43.
24.
HughesRJ, DamianoPC, KanellisMJ, KuthyR, SlaytonR. Dentists’ participation and children’s use of services in the Indiana dental Medicaid program and SCHIP: Assessing the impact of increased fees and administrative changes. J Am Dent Assoc. 2005;136(4):517–23.
25.
WaldmanHB, PerlmanSP. Why dentists shun Medicaid: Impact on children, especially children with special needs. J Dent Child. 2003;70:5–9.
26.
MorrisPJ, FreedJR, NguyenA, DuperonDF, FreedBA, DickmeyerJ. Pediatric dentists’ participation in the California medicaid program. Pediatr Dent. 2004;26(1):79–86.
27.
WaldmanHB, PerlmanSP. Counting the number of children with disabilities. Pediatr Dent. 2004;26(1):49–52.
28.
American Dental Association. 2011 survey of dental fees Chicago, Illinois: American Dental Association, 2011 978-1-60122-146-9.
29.
American Dental Association. 1999 survey of dental fees. Survey. Chicago, Illinois American Dental Association, 1999 July 2000.
30.
HjalmersK, SoderfeldtB, AxteliusB, KronstromM. Network participation for unpromoted female dentists in relation to psychosocial support. Acta Odontol Scand. 2004;62(3):158–62.
31.
CroucherR, OsborneD, MarcenesW, SheihamA. Burnout and issues of the work environment reported by general dental practitioners in the United Kingdom. Community Dent Health. 1998;15(1):40–43.
32.
BongersPM, de WinterCR, KompierMA, HildebrandtVH. Psychosocial factors at work and musculoskeletal disease. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1993;19(5):297–312.
33.
BruersJJM, FellingAJA, TruinGJ, van’t HofMA, van RossumG. Patient orientation and professional orientation of Dutch dentists. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2004;32(2):115–24.
34.
BrennanDS, SpencerAJ. Dentist preferences for patients: Dimensions and associations with provider, practice, and service characteristics. Int J Behav Med. 2006;13(1):69–78.
