A Study on Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Low Back Pain Among Dentists

ABSTRACT

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders due to occupation occur over a period of time because of repeated work load. Dentist due to their working posture while treating patients are prone to low back pain. Dental professionals spend most of their work days in static, awkward positions. Study was done to find the same. Aim: To study the prevalence of risk factors for low back pain in dentists and to find the possible correlation of these factors with working posture. Methods: The prospective study was done on 65 patients with females being predominant 53.84%, males 46.15 % with mean age being 26.5 years. Dentists were evaluated with the self-administered Nordic musculoskeletal evaluation chart, postural discomfort chart, and a self-prepared questionnaire. Results: Data was analysed and showed 45 (69%) subjects presented with lower back pain. The commonest site of pain was predominated by lower back 48.8%, followed by involvement of more than one area which constituted 24.4%, cervical 15.5% and upper back 11.11%.  93.3 % of subjects showed a mild to moderate level of severity and only 6.6% of subjects showed severe LBP. No correlation between working experience and working hours with low back pain was found. Conclusion: Our study reveals that dentists are at high risk for having lower back pain due to their working posture while treating the patients.  To minimize the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders s among dentists, work postures need to be improved.