Musculoskeletal Disorders among the Australian Dental Hygiene Profession

Objectives: Recent literature has identified that musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are a significant occupational health issue for the dental hygiene profession. In Australia, the situation may prove critical in the future as numbers entering the profession increase in the coming years. Research on the occupational health of dental hygienists is lacking in this country, which is of particular concern given that it is a rapidly growing field. The aims of this research project are to investigate the prevalence and correlates of MSD in Australian dental hygienists.

Methods: A self-reporting questionnaire was distributed to all registered dental hygienists in Australia. The questionnaire is a modified version of a validated tool, used previously among dentists, veterinarians and dental hygiene students. A total of 624 dental hygienists responded to the questionnaire.

Results: MSD were frequently reported by dental hygienists in the neck (85%), shoulder (70%), and lower back (68%). Of those reporting pain in these specific regions, over half indicated that they needed professional medical treatment (57%, 53.4% and 51.8% respectively). Logistic regression analysis revealed that there is a correlation between reports of MSD in these three regions. Those experiencing neck pain are more likely to report pain in the shoulder (OR: 6.88, 95%CI 4.10-11.67, p<0.00) and lower back (OR:2.96, 95%CI 1.77-4.95, p<0.00). Shoulder pain also correlated with lower back pain (OR: 1.63, 95%CI 1.08-2.47, p<0.02).

Conclusions: Overall, this study suggests that MSD are a reasonably common problem for Australian dental hygienists, and that they often need to seek medical treatment for these problems. It is concerning that there is a correlation between reports of MSD in the neck, shoulder and lower back regions; further studies are needed to establish the epidemiological patterns of MSD in this profession.