Introduction

The dental team is at high risk of neck and back problems due to the limited work area and impaired vision associated with the oral cavity.  These working restrictions frequently cause a clinician to assume stressful body positions to achieve good access and visibility inside the oral cavity.  Furthermore, dental procedures are usually long and require much more concentration during work.

Back pain is one of the most common and troublesome of complaints; its exact causes are legion and an exact diagnosis is often difficult.¹  Back problems have been cited as the second most common reason for missing work in an industrial population in the United States.²

It has been stated that the most common sites of pain among dentists and dental auxiliaries are in the areas of the cervical and lumbar vertebrae.^3,4,5  The shape of the vertebral column, aging changes, weak muscles, postural practice, movements, lifting techniques, and mechanical stress have been identified as factors that contribute to neck and back pain in general.⁶  One investigator focused on neck and back pain among dentists and dental auxiliaries.  The study highlighted that stress, postural practices (bending and twisting trying to gain better access and visibility within the oral cavity), as well as prolonged working times leads to fatigue.⁷  Various investigators have pointed out the common postural faults among dentists and dental auxiliaries are craning and/or excessive bending and twisting of the neck, bending forward from the waist, elevation of the shoulders, and general bending or twisting of the back and neck.^8,9,10,11,12 (Figures. 1, 2, and 3)

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Citation Number: Vol. 2, No. 3, Page 018