Musculoskeletal disorders among dental health care professionals
Description
We aimed to pool the estimates of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among various dental healthcare providers, including dentists, dental students, dental hygienists, and auxiliaries. A systematic search of five databases was performed (“Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Sciences, Dentistry and Oral Science Source”). The studies that reported the prevalence of MSD among dental healthcare workers and those written in English were selected. Risk of bias assessment was done using a 9-item questionnaire developed by Hoy et al. Pooled estimates were calculated using meta-analysis of proportions (random effects model). Among the 3090 publications screened, 234 publications were included for full-text screening. Meta-analysis was performed for 89 estimates from 88 publications. Females showed significantly higher prevalence [OR=1.42 (95% CI= 1.09-1.84); I2 =66.02; N=32]. The analysis yielded a pooled estimate of 78.4% (95% CI = 74.8 – 82). The meta-regression showed similar prevalence over the years (Coefficient: 0.001; P-value: 0.762). A high prevalence of MSD was noted among dental healthcare providers, with about seven out of ten having experienced MSD in the past.