Prevalence of Muscular Skeletal Disorders among Qualified Dental Assistants

Daniela Ohlendorf, Yvonne Haas, Antonia Naser, Jasmin Haenel, Laura Maltry, Fabian Holzgreve, Christina Erbe, Werner Betz, Eileen M. Wanke, Dörthe Brüggmann, Albert Nienhaus and David A. Groneberg
Additional contact information
Daniela Ohlendorf: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Yvonne Haas: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Antonia Naser: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Jasmin Haenel: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Laura Maltry: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Fabian Holzgreve: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Christina Erbe: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
Werner Betz: Institute of Dentistry, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Eileen M. Wanke: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Dörthe Brüggmann: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Albert Nienhaus: Competence Center for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Principles of Prevention and Rehabilitation Department (GPR), Institute for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), 20251 Hamburg, Germany
David A. Groneberg: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 10, 1-16

Abstract: The occupation of dental assistants (DAs) involves many health risks of the musculoskeletal system due to static and prolonged work, which can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of MSDs in DAs in Germany. Methods: For this purpose, an online questionnaire analyzed 406 (401 female participants and 5 male participants, 401w/5m) DAs. It was based on the Nordic Questionnaire (lifetime, 12-month, and seven-day MSDs’ prevalence separated into neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, upper back, lower back, hip, knee, and ankle), and occupational and sociodemographic questions as well as questions about specific medical conditions. Results: 98.5% of the participants reported complaints of at least one body region in their lives, 97.5% reported at least one complaint in the last 12 months and 86.9% affirmed at least one complaint in the last seven days. For lifetime, 12-month and seven-day prevalence, the neck was the region that was most affected followed by the shoulder, the upper back and the lower back. Conclusion: The prevalence of MSDs among German (female) DAs was very high. The most affected area is the neck, followed by the shoulder, the lower back, and the upper back. It, therefore, seems necessary to devote more attention to ergonomics at the working practice of DAs as well in education and in dental work.

Keywords: MSD; musculoskeletal; pain; prevalence; dental assistants; dental profession; dentist; dental education; questionnaire (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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