Physical and psychosocial work environments among Swedish dental hygienists: risk indicators for musculoskeletal complaints.
The study examines individual and occupational factors and physical and psychosocial exposures related to musculoskeletal complaints in dental hygienists. A standardized questionnaire was sent to 471 registered Swedish hygienists; 77.3% (n = 364) responded, which allows for reliable conclusions for Swedish dental hygienists. Musculoskeletal complaints increased significantly in several body parts with age. And in lower right arm and both elbows with profession years. Public dental health service (PDHS) hygienists experienced significantly more complaints, in the lower right arm (fingers, wrist/hand and elbow). Their work was more demanding, and they had less control compared to work in private practice (PP). In a multiple regression analysis, strainful ergonomics, solitary work, patient treatment hours, and working hours were significant predictors that explained 29% of the variance of musculoskeletal complaints in neck, shoulders, and upper back. Solitary work, years in the profession, strainful ergonomics, and PDHS work explained 15% of the variance of musculoskeletal complaints in the lower right arm. So physical environmental factors contribute to musculoskeletal complaints. Using multivariate analysis, the importance of psychosocial factors did not remain as significant predictors. But a high decision latitude at PP seems health promoting. The results are a useful baseline to discuss the physical layout, organization of dental hygienists' work, and its future direction.
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Department of Medicine Section for Occupational Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden.
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Benko
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Rydén
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003710:Demography; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011593:Psychology, Social; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data