Affiliations: UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Tim Morse, Ph.D., CPE, Professor,
Occupational and Environmental Health Center, UConn Health Center, Farmington,
CT 06030-6210, USA. Tel.: +1 860 679 4720; Fax: +1 860 679 1349; E-mail:
tmorse@uchc.edu
Abstract: The prevalence of and risk factors for neck and shoulder disorders
among dental practitioners (dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants)
is reviewed. Dentists report 26–73% period prevalence of neck symptoms
over the previous year, and 20–65% with shoulder symptoms. Dental
hygienists report even higher rates, from 54–83% for neck and
35–76% for shoulder, and dental assistants in between (38–62% and
27–62% respectively). Symptoms begin to appear early in the career, with
significant increases upon starting clinical practice. Significant social and
economic consequences have been reported, including leaving the profession or
reducing hours. While ergonomic improvements appear to have some positive
impact, these have not been well studied, and some changes (such as the
historic shift from standing to seated posture) may have moved risk from the
lower back to the upper extremities. Static awkward posture, particularly those
with isometric contractions of the trapezius, has been identified as a risk
factor particular to these occupations. Ergonomic improvements, health
promotion, and organizational interventions have been suggested as needs for
reducing risk.
