PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL WORK ENVIRONMENTS AMONG SWEDISH DENTAL HYGIENISTS - RISK INDICATORS FOR MUSCULOSKELETAL COMPLAINTS

The study examines individual and occupational factors and physical an d psychosocial exposures related to musculoskeletal complaints in dent al hygienists. A standardized questionnaire was sent to 471 registered Swedish hygienists; 77.3% (n=364) responded, which allows for reliabl e conclusions for Swedish dental hygienists. Musculoskeletal complaint s 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 ergonomic s, solitary work, patient treatment hours, and working hours were sign ificant predictors that explained 29% of the variance of musculoskelet al 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 compla ints. Using multivariate analysis, the importance of psychosocial fact ors did not remain as significant predictors. But a high decision lati tude at PP seems health promoting. The results are a useful baseline t o discuss the physical layout, organization of dental hygienists' work , and its future direction.