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Article

Prevalence of Muscular Skeletal Disorders among Qualified Dental Assistants

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Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2
Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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Institute of Dentistry, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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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
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(10), 3490; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103490
Received: 30 March 2020 / Revised: 11 May 2020 / Accepted: 11 May 2020 / Published: 16 May 2020
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. View Full-Text
Keywords: MSD; musculoskeletal; pain; prevalence; dental assistants; dental profession; dentist; dental education; questionnaire MSD; musculoskeletal; pain; prevalence; dental assistants; dental profession; dentist; dental education; questionnaire
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MDPI and ACS Style

Ohlendorf, D.; Haas, Y.; Naser, A.; Haenel, J.; Maltry, L.; Holzgreve, F.; Erbe, C.; Betz, W.; Wanke, E.M.; Brüggmann, D.; Nienhaus, A.; Groneberg, D.A. Prevalence of Muscular Skeletal Disorders among Qualified Dental Assistants. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 3490. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103490

AMA Style

Ohlendorf D, Haas Y, Naser A, Haenel J, Maltry L, Holzgreve F, Erbe C, Betz W, Wanke EM, Brüggmann D, Nienhaus A, Groneberg DA. Prevalence of Muscular Skeletal Disorders among Qualified Dental Assistants. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(10):3490. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103490

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ohlendorf, Daniela, 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. 2020. "Prevalence of Muscular Skeletal Disorders among Qualified Dental Assistants" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 10: 3490. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103490

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