Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding the Prevalence of Occupation Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Ergonomics among Dental Practitioners in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi, Cross Sectional Survey
Abstract
Samir Azeem, Maryam Omer Shamim, Asma Shahid, Amna Rehman, Navid Rashid Qureshi, Ather Ma-jeed and Hamza Nadeem
Introduction: The precise, minute nature of dental treatments renders a dentist particularly sensitive to ergonomic-driv- en hazards. Ergonomics is the study of adapting the work environment to the worker for maximum efficiency and safety. There are many contributing factors that may result in multiple occupational hazards for dentists, including inappropri- ate working hours, odd postures, poor ergonomics practice, a small workspace with restricted movement, and prolonged standing, which can overstretch the cervical spine and lumbar region and cause other MSDs like damage to the muscles, joints, bones, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels.
Methods and Materials: A cross sectional survey was conducted in a private tertiary care hospital. A closed ended questionnaire with informed consent will be distributed to the participants.
Results: According to specialty 77.8% were general practitioner, 8.2% were maxillofacial specialist, 3.5% were spe- cialist in restorative dentistry, 2.9% were Periodontist and orthodontist followed by 1.2% with Endodontist and Paedo- dontist.
Conclusion: Effective ergonomics application can reduce the risk of strenuous injuries by enhancing the working en- vironment; nevertheless, ineffective ergonomics application can result in a variety of health risks that could eventually cause disability that ends a career. For dental professionals to successfully care for patients and concentrate on their work, we need to develop primary and secondary prevention methods to reduce the prevalence of work-related MSDs among them.