Samotoi A, Moffat S M, Thomson W M
Department of Oral Sciences, School of Dentistry, The University of Otago.
N Z Dent J. 2008 Jun;104(2):49-53; quiz 65.
To determine the prevalence and associations of disability due to musculoskeletal symptoms among practising New Zealand dental therapists.
Cross-sectional survey of a random sample of dental therapists.
A postal questionnaire was sent out to all 483 registered dental therapists who were New Zealand Dental Therapists' Association (NZDTA) members in 2005.
Usable responses were obtained from 323 therapists (98.8% female; mean age 49.2; age range 23 to 72). The most commonly reported problems in the previous year were neck (56.8%), lower back (54.0%) or shoulder symptoms (52.4%). Fewer of those working regularly with a dental assistant reported shoulder symptoms, but they had a higher prevalence of hip/thigh symptoms. Overall, the prevalence of disability ranged from approximately one in five (neck) to one in three (elbows or lower back) of those reporting symptoms.
The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among New Zealand dental therapists is high, with neck, shoulder and lower back symptoms being particularly common. The impact of those symptoms on sufferers' daily lives is considerable. Both therapists and employers need to examine ways of minimising musculoskeletal stress in order to minimise the incidence of new cases, and to support sufferers so that they are not lost prematurely from a workforce group which is already struggling to maintain sufficient practising numbers.
确定新西兰执业牙科治疗师中因肌肉骨骼症状导致的残疾患病率及其相关因素。
对牙科治疗师随机样本进行横断面调查。
向2005年新西兰牙科治疗师协会（NZDTA）的所有483名注册牙科治疗师邮寄了一份调查问卷。
获得了323名治疗师的有效回复（98.8%为女性；平均年龄49.2岁；年龄范围23至72岁）。上一年最常报告的问题是颈部（56.8%）、下背部（54.0%）或肩部症状（52.4%）。较少与牙科助理定期合作的人报告肩部症状，但他们髋部/大腿症状的患病率较高。总体而言，在报告有症状的人中，残疾患病率从大约五分之一（颈部）到三分之一（肘部或下背部）不等。
新西兰牙科治疗师中肌肉骨骼症状的患病率很高，颈部、肩部和下背部症状尤为常见。这些症状对患者日常生活的影响相当大。治疗师和雇主都需要研究如何将肌肉骨骼压力降至最低，以减少新病例的发生，并为患者提供支持，使他们不会过早地从一个已经难以维持足够执业人数的劳动力群体中流失。
