Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Several work activities can lead to musculoskeletal among workers from different occupation. Various variables contributed to the musculoskeletal disorders experienced by dentist such as age, height of the dentist, operating posture, high task repetition, dental instruments, poor work practices, poor overall health habits, poor rest and recovery, poor nutrition, fitness and hydration.

I) Effect of Dental Operating Posture and Work Station on dentist:

Working posture of dentist is one pf the major factors that cause MSD, this problems has been talked about by research and they all concluded causes injury the musculoskeletal systems. Most times in other for dentist to operate on a patient they have maintain a particular posture for a long period

This is because of the repetitive hand movement of dentist especially when the dentist does not take sufficient break in order for the nerves and tendons to rest. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome usually as a result of excessive pressure in the nerve in the hand with symptoms such as pain, numbness in the hand, parathesia. Numbness usually occurs in the night. Most dentist usually experience tingling in the thumb, index and middle finger due to frequent use of vibrating instrument. Work related musculoskeletal disorder are usually found in the upper extremity either in sitting or standing in a sitting position in dental practice but many studies have proven that the number of MSD in the hand are increasing and many dentist do complain of carpal tunnel

This syndrome includes muscles enlargement or movement of tissue near the thoracic outlet syndrome. TOS is caused by muscular dysfunction and nerve compression which leads to neck and shoulder pain due to repetitive movement of the upper limb which can induce compression due to closure at the thoracic outlet. Dental task require rotation of the neck a lot causing TOS

3) Degenerative Disk Disease (DDD): Degenerative Disk Disease is a term used to describe the abnormal change in the spinal disc which often affects the disc in the lower back and neck region. Many dentists are affected by degenerative disc disease either in the cervical or lumbar vertebrae, they also complain of pain after sitting for a long period of time which usually happens while lifting, bending, and turning. This pain might sometimes last for a days or weeks before it becomes permanent. Some symptoms include Radicular pain and numbness: Degenerative disk disease could affect the neck causing nerve impingement which could lead to pain in the forearm and fingers. Also impingement the lower back might as well affect the leg and foot. This symptoms reduces the productive