Repetitive Strain Injuries and its Incidence in Practicing Dentists

Background The objective of this study was to investigate factors associated with repetitive strain injuries in practicing dentists and the means that can reduce the incidence of it.   Methods A representative sample of practicing dentists (aged 21 through 69 years) from Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh states of India was randomly selected. The authors collected the data through a self-administered questionnaire that asked for information about the number of hours they practice a day, their postures during treatment procedures, and whether they had any other means to prevent developing Repetitive strain injury. The Authors did a descriptive analysis of the study.   Results A final sample of 500 dentists participated in this Study. The results showed 86.4% of the surveyed dentist had RSI. The incidence of RSI was 80% among men and 85% among women. Occurrence of RSI had a direct co-relation to the number of years of practice, the number of hours they practice a day, and number of patients they treat in a day. It had an indirect correlation to the number of hours of their sleep and their regular exercises. One of the most startling findings was that, 85% of dentists who have been practicing for less than 5 years had RSI.   Conclusion Improper postures, repetitive movements without intermediate stretches, and failure to adopt the proper ergonomics for work are the frequent cause for repetitive strain injuries. Repetitive strain injury was an influencing factor in work fatigue among dentists and reduction in providing quality treatment to patients.   Clinical Implications Dental Practitioners mostly retire from practice due to Repetitive Strain Injury rather than any other reason hence arises the need to educate them about the causes of repetitive strain injury and how ergonomics can effectively be used to reduce it

Awareness of oral medicine specialty among medical practitioners in and around Tirupati: A survey

Aims and Objectives: To assess and create awareness of oral medicine specialty among medical practitioners, and to assess the volume of oral medicine clinical cases that they come across in their routine practice and to whom they refer them to. Materials and Methods: Printed and validated questionnaires were given to a sample of 100 medical practitioners of different specialties personally in and around Tirupati and the results were analyzed. Results: Sixty-nine percent of medical practitioners were not aware of oral medicine specialty and only 31% were aware of it. Frequent incidence of oral manifestation of systemic diseases, occasional incidence of facial and TMJ pain, oral mucosal lesions, and rare incidence of salivary gland disorders were noted in their routine practice. Oral manifestation of systemic diseases and oral mucosal lesions were frequently being referred to a general dentist and not to any specific specialty. TMJ and facial pain were referred to an ENT specialist and salivary gland problems to a general surgeon commonly. Conclusion: It is time to reiterate and spread the awareness among the medical professionals about oral medicine speciality in diagnosis and management of many oral ailments. Proper diagnosis and medical management should be the preferred line of therapy for any ailment