Prevalence of cervical pain and it’s impact on activities of daily living (adl’s) among dental profession

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders or MSK disorders is more commonly seen in Dental professionals as an occupational hazard as compared to others. It was attributed numerous risk factors including prolonged static posture, repetitive movements, suboptimal lighting, poor and awkward posture adaptation, mental stress, age etc. Dentists are at high risk of musculoskeletal pain and disorders as they are vulnerable to mal-posture. As a result, several researchers found that occupational related MSD is widespread among Dental professionals and resulting in altering their work productivity. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of cervical pain among the Dental community and report its impact on activities of daily living. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of cervical pain in Dental professionals and its impact on activities of daily living by using neck disability index (NDI). Materials and Methods: A survey study was conducted on 47 dentists working in government and private hospitals and clinics in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Participants with history of major trauma, major surgery, and other comorbidities were excluded. Data was collected by using the neck disability index. The collected data was entered and analysed by using graph pad prism 5. Statistical Analysis Used: A frequency and percentage table was used to analyse prevalence of cervical pain among the dentist community. Results: The response rate was 100% out of 47 dentists 32 were males and 15 were females with age group range 30 to 50 years with 5 years of experience. The neck disability index was used to analyse the severity. Our study reveals that 0(0.00%) male found to be having no disability, while 6(40%) females found to be with no disability. In case of mild disability male 20(62.5%) male were recorded while 9(60%) females were recorded in this. In moderate male 12(37.5%) found to be positive in females no such evidence recorded. Conclusions: Dentists are prone to develop cervical pain due to their awkward and poor posture. The male candidates are more vulnerable to develop cervical pain as compared to females. Prolonged static posture, repetitive movements and long working hours without rest periods are major contributing factors in cervical discomfort among dentists.