title: Variation in work tasks in relation to pinch grip strength among middle-aged female dentists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to investigate the relationship of task variation during dental work history with pinch grip strength among dentists.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured pinch grip strength among 295 female Finnish dentists aged 45-63 years. Variation in dental work tasks during work history was empirically defined by cluster analysis. Three clusters of task variation emerged: low (most work time in restoration treatment/endodontics), moderate (about 50% in the former and 50% in prosthodontics/periodontics/surgery), and high (variable tasks including administrative duties). Hand radiographs were examined for the presence of OA in the wrist and each joint of the 1-3rd fingers. Information on hand-loading leisure-time activities, and joint pain was obtained by questionnaire. Glove size was used as a proxy for hand size. BMI (kg/m2) was based on measured weight and self-reported height.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dentists with low variation of work task history had an increased risk of low pinch grip strength in the right hand (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2-4.3), but not in the left (1.13, 0.62-2.08), compared to dentists with high task variation, independent of age, hand size, hand-loading leisure-time activities, BMI and symptomatic hand OA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The dentists with the most hand-loading tasks were at an increased risk of low pinch grip strength, independent of e.g. symptomatic hand OA. It is advisable among dentists to perform as diverse work tasks as possible to reduce the risk of decreased pinch grip strength.
authors.affiliation: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Centre of Expertise for Health and Work Ability, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, FIN-00250 Helsinki, Finland. ding.vivien@gmail.com
authors.forename: Hebo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Päivi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leino-Arjas
authors.forename: Heikki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Murtomaa
authors.forename: Esa-Pekka
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Takala
authors.forename: Svetlana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Solovieva
mesh_terms: D018771:Arthralgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003813:Dentistry; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005387:Finland; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D052581:Pinch Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D014937:Work / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Dentists; Pinch grip strength; Symptomatic hand OA