Musculoskeletal complaints and associated factors among dental practitioners of Nepal: a nationwide survey

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) constitute a significant occupational hazard among dental practitioners. An online-based e-survey was conducted among 252 registered dentists of Nepal using the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) to assess musculoskeletal complaints and work-related characteristics. Musculoskeletal complaints in lower regions were found to be highly prevalent among dental practitioners with prevalence of 76, 27 and 28.2% in the last 12 months, 1 month and 7 days, respectively, followed by musculoskeletal complaints in the neck, wrist/hand and shoulder. Musculoskeletal complaint during the last 12 months was significantly associated with age, years in dental practice after graduation and leave from duty in the past 12 months. Similarly, educational qualification, medical comorbidities and leave from duty were associated with complaints in the last 1 month. Musculoskeletal complaint during the last 7 days was associated with gender, working hours in a day, practice of four-handed dentistry and patients examined in a day.

KEYWORDS:

• dentistry
• e-survey
• musculoskeletal complaint
• occupational hazard

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr Abanish Singh, Dr Krishna Subedi, Dr Naresh Prasad Subedi and Dr Resham Koirala for helping with online acquisition of survey forms.

Data availability statement

The data set associated with the article can be made available from the authors on reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.