Musculoskeletal Disorders among Lithuanian Dentists and Oral Hygienists.

OBJECTIVES

This cross-sectional observational study aims to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among Lithuanian dentists and dental hygienists and determine the most affected body areas.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

An anonymous survey was carried out from October 20, 2024, to December 5, 2024. The questionnaire was distributed online to Lithuanian specialists - dentists and oral hygienists. A total of 382 professionals were included in this survey. Chi-square test, its degrees of freedom was used for the analysis of variables.

RESULTS

The study involved 382 participants who reported experiencing pain in the neck (65.7%), shoulders (59.7%), and lower back (58.1%) in the past 12 months, while only 4.5% did not experience any discomfort. Based on the study data, 19.4% of respondents were unable to perform their regular work due to problems related to pain in certain areas during the last 12 months. In addition, 49.5% of specialists had never consulted a physiotherapist or doctor about their condition during the past year. As many as 20.7% of respondents stated that they were completely physically inactive, and 18.1% engaged in low-intensity physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, dentists and dental hygienists in Lithuania face a significant prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in their profession. Considering the magnitude of this issue, it is essential to implement university-level preventive education programs that provide dental professionals with comprehensive ergonomic knowledge.