Dental Public Health · MU Sofia

23. Occupational hazards in dental practice and their prevention. Incorrect working posture, stress, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD).

Covers the occupational hazards facing dentists, starting with incorrect working posture and its effects on the spine, leg veins and orthostatic function, followed by prevention measures. Next it looks at stress: its types, sources in dentistry, consequences and Selye's three-stage general adaptation syndrome. It closes with work-related musculoskeletal disorders, their causes and sites, and carpal tunnel syndrome with its risk factors, symptoms and treatment options.

Inside: 15 sections · 6 flashcards · 3 min

Topic 35 of 38 in the MU Sofia syllabus for Dental Public Health (Dental Medicine, Year 3). The free AceMed note covers it in 15 sections, about 332 words (3 min of reading), with 6 flashcards.

In this note

  1. Incorrect Working Posture
  2. Consequences of Incorrect Posture
  3. Spine Disorders
  4. Varicose Vein Complex
  5. Orthostatic Syndrome
  6. Prevention
  7. Stress in Dental Practice
  8. Types of Stress
  9. Sources of Stress in Dentistry
  10. Consequences of Stress
  11. Hans Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome
  12. Alarm Stage
  13. Resistance Stage
  14. Exhaustion Stage
  15. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Incorrect Working Posture

One of the most common occupational problems in dentistry.

Caused by: – Static posture – Neck flexion – Trunk twisting – Raised shoulders – Poor ergonomics.

Leads to excessive loading of muscles, joints and spine.

Spine Disorders

Long-term asymmetric loading may cause:

Osteochondrosis – Osteophytes – Degenerative disc changes – Discopathy Herniated disc.

Most commonly affected levels:

L4–L5 – L5–S1.

Main symptoms:

Neck pain – Back pain – Headaches – Reduced working capacity.

Varicose Vein Complex

Caused by prolonged sitting or standing.

Results in:

Venous congestion – Oedema – Varicose veins – Leg fatigue.

Orthostatic Syndrome

Caused by prolonged static posture.

Symptoms:

Fatigue – Dizziness – Sweating – Tachycardia – Reduced concentration Frequent yawning.

Prevention

Correct ergonomic posture.

Alternate work with movement.

Regular breaks and stretching.

Physical activity and healthy body weight.

Proper patient positioning and ergonomic equipment.

Stress in Dental Practice

Stress develops when demands exceed the individual’s ability to adapt.

Initially may improve performance, but prolonged stress becomes harmful.

Types of Stress

Acute stress:

Bereavement – Catastrophes – Dismissal – Divorce.

Daily chronic stress:

Family problems – Financial difficulties – Long-term illness

Everyday pressures.

Professional stress:

Mismatch between job demands and personal abilities.

May lead to Burnout Syndrome.

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