Ergonomics Resilience: Addressing the Epidemic of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Dentistry

Every dentist, at some point, has experienced the physical strain and discomfort caused by prolonged patient care. Providing dental care involving working within the confined and complex space of the oral cavity poses significant challenges in accessibility and maneuverability. Consequently, dentists often adopt awkward and sustained body postures, placing considerable stress on their musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). MSD, also known as repetitive motion injury/reparative stress injury/overuse injury, is a condition or ailment of 1 or more areas of the body, which causes symptoms such as pain, weakness, excessive fatigue, burning, tingling, numbness, or paresthesia.[1] MSDs may be acute or chronic and commonly affect the shoulders and extremities. These disorders are primarily caused by biomechanical strain, repetitive motions, poor posture, and vibration exposure, along with individual factors such as gender, obesity, and psychological stressors.[2] Given the multifactorial nature and widespread impact of MSDs, especially in professions like dentistry, the need for targeted intervention becomes evident. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis by Greggi et al. analyzed 32 high-quality papers across health care, farming, industrial, and computer sector assessing prevalence and impact of work-related MSDs and concluded that dentists showed the highest prevalence rate of degenerative lumbar spine disease and hand osteoarthritis among all the sectors. This, in turn, leads to absenteeism, reduced productivity both physically and mentally, and increased health care and compensation costs.[3] This editorial, therefore, calls for a paradigm shift in how MSDs are addressed within dentistry. Integrating ergonomic curricula, promoting posture-conscious practice like use of loupes and microscopes, and fostering a culture of occupational health awareness are essential steps toward mitigating this silent epidemic. As MSDs continue to drive global rehabilitation needs and years lived with disability, it is imperative that dental community recognizes and responds to this pressing challenge with evidence-based action.