A Survey Of Work Related Musculoskeletal Complaints Among Dental Hygienists In Kentucky

Author : Rebecca M. Barry
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 130 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (94 download)

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Download or read book Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Mississippi Dental Hygienists in Relation to Operator Positioning and Work Habits written by Rebecca M. Barry and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Problem Statement: Results of worldwide studies indicate that musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are highly prevalent and remain a potential occupational health hazard to practicing dental hygienists. Enduring chronic injury, functional impairments and associated pain, paying for musculoskeletal rehabilitation and treatment, coupled with the need to reduce the number of hours worked or need to leave the profession prematurely all adversely affect the financial stability and quality of life of practicing dental hygienists. Further, risk for developing MSDs has the potential to limit both the retention of existing clinicians as well as the recruitment of future applicants in the dental hygiene workforce. Published studies confirm that collectively, MSDs are an important dental hygiene workforce issue. It is not known how current recommendations for operator positioning and use of ergonomic devices impact development of MSDs and workforce issues among Mississippi dental hygiene practitioners. Purpose: The purpose of this study was four-fold: to determine if self-reported operator positioning correlated with development of MSDs; to determine if operator positioning correlated with time of MSD onset; to assess whether use of ergonomic devices reduced risk for occupational injury; and to measure the impact of MSDs on dental hygiene workforce issues in Mississippi. Knowledge gained from this study may help to identify best strategies to teach students about proper ergonomics to reduce risk for MSDs. Reducing risk for occupational injury is essential to ensure retention of practitioners in the dental hygiene workforce and to maintain quality of life. Methods: A 47 item modified version of the Standardised Nordic Questionnaire was developed and pilot-tested for face and content validity. The online survey was sent to all licensed Mississippi dental hygienists (N=1553), obtaining a 22% response rate. This IRB-approved study utilized a correlational design examining relationships between operator positioning and development and time to onset of MSDs, and impact of MSDs on practice behaviors and workforce retention. Data analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson Chi-square analysis, and Kaplan Meier survival analysis. Results: Primary sites of MSDs reported by Mississippi dental hygienists included neck (74%), shoulders (61%), wrists/hands (57%) low back (54%) and upper back (45%). There was no significant difference in prevalence of MSDs between those sitting in front of or behind the patient (X2 (1) = 1.67, p=0.196), although survival analysis revealed that those who sat behind the patient developed MSDs sooner (X2 (1) = 3.92, p=0.048). For respondents sitting in the 8:00 -- 12:00 o'clock position, median time for a MSD to develop was 8.5 years, while the median time with the 9:00 -- 12:30 o'clock position was five years. Overall median time to onset of a MSD was also 5 years with a 95% confidence interval (CI) (3.927, 6.073). Further investigation revealed a significant difference between position used and MSDs reported after graduation for the upper back and wrists/hands. Chi-square analysis on positions used resulted in (X2 = 8.09 (1), p=0.004) for the upper back and (X2 = 8.29 (1), p=0.004) for the wrist/hands. Dental hygienists who practiced from the front position (8:00 -- 12:00 o'clock) were more likely to develop MSDs in these two sites as opposed to those who practiced from the back position (9:00 -- 12:30 o'clock). However, regardless of operator position, by 16+ years in practice, 80% (n=272/338) of dental hygienists developed MSDs. There was no significant difference between the early or late onset of a MSD and the need to modify patient work load (X2 = 3.5 (1), p=0.06), need to reduce work hours (X2 = 2.97 (1), p=0.08), need to take time off from work (X2 = 1.96 (1), p=0.16), or the ability to continue to work due to MSDs (X2 = .00 (1), p=0.97). Ergonomic devices e.g., large diameter instruments, swivel handpieces, eyeloupes, saddle stools, were used by only 21.6% (n=73/338) of study participants. Conclusions: The majority of practicing dental hygienists develop MSDs regardless of operator position used. Study participants developed MSDs sooner after entering practice than what has been previously reported in the literature. The data suggests that regardless of operator position used, given enough time, a large percentage of dental hygienists are going to develop MSDs. Less than a quarter of Mississippi dental hygienists in this study used ergonomic devices. Given the high risk for developing MSDs, dental hygiene educators must question whether current teaching strategies regarding proper operator positioning and use of ergonomic devices actually help reduce and/or prevent future MSDs among dental hygienists. Data from this study also suggests that the presence of MSDs may impact quality of life, but does not appear to negatively impact the dental hygiene workforce in Mississippi.