Page 36 - COS-FOD2015

Compendium of Oral Science Volume 1|2015

Original Article

Muscular Pain Among Dentists- A Pilot Study

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Faezah Sabirin , Siti Sarah Abdul Ahmad , W. Zahira Akmal W. Kamarudin
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Centre of Preclinical Science Studies, Faculty of Dentistry, University Technology MARA Sg. Buloh Campus,
Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Malaysia.
Abstract

Background: Muscular pain is the most common symptom associated to muscular skeletal disorders
(MSDs). Dentists were exposed to ergonomic hazards while treating the patients. Without proper dental
ergonomics, they are predisposed to the MSDs. Objective: This present study was designed to analyse the
prevalence of muscular pain among practising dentists in Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and it relatedness
to ergonomic factors. Methodology: A total of 25 dentists were participated in this pilot study. The inclusion
criteria include working experience of at least six months and those who were readily diagnosed with
musculoskeletal disorders were excluded. A self-administered questionaire was employed to gather
demogaphic informations and close ended (“yes” or “no”) questions were asked to assess the muscular pain
experienced in the last 12 months. The collected data were then analysed statistically. Result: The result
showed a 100% response rate. 92% of the respondents were reported to experience muscular pain,
particularly on the upper body parts. Only maintenance of same postures without microbreaks and performing
torsions or cervical flexions to improve vision of oral cavity correlate significantly (P<0.05) to the presence of
muscular pain that respondent experienced. However, age, nature of work and high woking hours per weeek
does not correlate to the muscular pain. Conclusion: The prevalence of muscular pain among dentists in UiTM
is high which indirectly suggested the lack of dental ergonomic awareness and practice in their routine at work.

Keywords: Ergonomic, muscular pain, musculoskeletal disorders

Introduction

The MSDs is defined as musculoskeletal sensation felt was resulted from injuries or
discomfort, symptoms or pain sensation at disorders of muscles, nerves, tendons, joints,
certain areas of body such as the neck, cartilage or structures that support the upper
shoulder, limbs and lower back of body (1). It is and lower limbs, neck and lower back (2). The
a commonly discussed issue among dentists. severity of MSDs can be varied from mild to
Conditions such as fractures, contusions, severe which was caused and/or exaggerated
abrasions, and lacerations resulted from by sudden sharp turning or prolonged exposure
physical contact of extraneous objects to body to physical factors (3). Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
surfaces are excluded from the context of is an example of MSDs associated with dental
MSDs (2). MSDs most commonly reported as profession with the involvement of nerves,
presence of muscular pain (OSHA 3). The pain tendons and muscles (4).

The MSDs is not limited to the dentists. The
*Corresponding to: Dr Faezah Sabirin, Center of Preclinical same issue was also affecting the physicians
Science Studies, Faculty of Dentistry, University Technolo- and surgeons (5). However, the dentists were
gy MARA Sg. Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai
Buloh, Malaysia. at higher risk for work-related MSDs (6). This
Email: drfaezah@salam.uitm.edu.my
Tel: +603-61266603 Fax: +603-61266103

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