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Comparative Study
. 2014 Apr;24(2):117-24.
doi: 10.4314/ejhs.v24i2.3.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine for work related musculoskeletal disorders associated with job contentment in dental professionals: Indian outlook

Devanand Gupta  1 , Dara John Bhaskar  1 , Kumar Rajendra Gupta  2 , Bushra Karim  1 , Alpana Kanwar  3 , Ankita Jain  1 , Ankit Yadav  4 , Priya Saini  5 , Satya Arya  6 , Neha Sachdeva  7
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Use of complementary and alternative medicine for work related musculoskeletal disorders associated with job contentment in dental professionals: Indian outlook

Devanand Gupta et al. Ethiop J Health Sci. 2014 Apr.

Abstract

Background: High prevalence rates of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) among dentists have been reported. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies can be helpful in managing and preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine if dental professionals are using CAM for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Who have greater job satisfaction: dentist who uses Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) or conventional therapy (CT) as a treatment modality for WRMSD.

Method: Dentists who registered in Uttar Pradesh state, India under Indian Dental Council, Uttar Pradesh branch (n=1134) were surveyed. Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analyses and logistic regression.

Result: A response rate of 53% (n=601) was obtained, revealing that 82% (n=487) of the respondents suffered from work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The use of complementary and alternative medicine or conventional therapy was reported among 80% (n=390) of the dentists with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Complementary and alternative medicine users reported greater overall health compared to conventional therapy users (P<0.001). Of those with work-related musculoskeletal disorders, 35.5% (n=172) considered a career change for once, and 4.0% (n=19) reported having left dentistry.

Conclusion: Complementary and alternative medicine therapies may improve quality of life, reduce work disruptions and enhance job satisfaction for dentists who suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders. It is important that dentists incorporate complementary and alternative medicine strategies into practice to facilitate musculoskeletal health that will enable longer and healthier careers, increase productivity, provide safer workplace and prevent musculoskeletal disorders.

Keywords: CAM; dentist; musculoskeletal disorders.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Frequency of reported pain by location (n=487)
Fig 2
Fig 2
Work and Career disruption among respondents due to WRMSD
Fig 3
Fig 3
Types of CAM therapies used by respondents in past year (n=487)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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