Prevalence of Lower Back Pain among Dentists in Kurdistan Region-Iraq
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15218/edj.2025.8Keywords:
Lower back Pain, Musculoskeletal Disorder, Dental ErgonomicsAbstract
Background and Objective: Lower back pain caused by professional activities often develops over time due to repetitive work. Dentists are particularly prone to low back discomfort because of their working posture during patient treatment, as they spend most of their workday in static, uncomfortable positions. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of risk factors for low back pain in dentists and examine the potential relationship between these factors and working posture.
Methods: A prospective study was conducted involving 206 dentists. Data was collected and analyzed to assess the prevalence of lower back pain and associated occupational factors.
Results: The findings revealed that 67% of participants reported lower back discomfort. Additionally, the study showed that lower back pain was not age-related. Most participants indicated that they worked long hours with minimal breaks between procedures.
Conclusion: The research confirms that dentists are at a higher risk of developing lower back pain due to their working posture during patient treatment. To mitigate this risk, work postures should be adjusted to reduce the likelihood of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among dental professionals.
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