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Research ArticleIssues in Dental Hygiene Education

Prevention and Reduction of Musculoskeletal Pain Through Chair-Side Stretching among Dental Hygiene Students

Whitni H. Nye, Brian B. Partido, John DeWitt and Rachel C. Kearney
American Dental Hygienists' Association February 2021, 95 (1) 84-91;
Whitni H. Nye
Graduate of the Master of Dental Hygiene Program;
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  • For correspondence: nye.146@buckeyemail.osu.edu
Brian B. Partido
Former assistant professor in the Division of Dental Hygiene;
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John DeWitt
AT is an assistant clinical professor, Division of Physical Therapy;
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Rachel C. Kearney
Associate professor and Chair of the Division of Dental Hygiene; all at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
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Abstract

Purpose: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are among the most commonly reported injuries in the workforce and there is a particularly high prevalence among dental hygienists. Research has shown that the incidence of MSD may begin during students’ academic and clinical training. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of implementing chair-side stretching exercises on self-reported musculoskeletal (MSK) pain among currently enrolled dental hygiene students.

Methods: A total of 31 senior dental hygiene students were divided into treatment and control groups during the fall semester. The treatment group completed a series of chair-side stretching exercises, prior to beginning each clinic session, for approximately 10.5 weeks. Participants completed a modified version of the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire at the beginning (week 0), midpoint (week 5), and end of the study (week 10.5). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.

Results: There were significant differences in the total MSK pain scores reported between the treatment and control groups (p=0.03) in addition to the hand and wrist pain severity scores (p=0.04). Hierarchical multiple regression revealed a model explaining the 38.2% variance in MSK pain between the groups (p=0.021). A majority of participants in the treatment group felt that chair-side stretching exercises neither improved nor worsened their MSK pain. However, more than one-half of the participants felt that the exercises helped increase their conscious level regarding ergonomic practices while delivering patient care.

Conclusion: Findings from this study suggest that consistent chair-side stretching exercises may be beneficial in reducing and preventing MSK pain, particularly within the hand and wrist region. Future research is needed to determine effective interventions to reduce MSK pain, particularly for the neck, shoulders, and lower back during dental hygiene education.

  • dental hygiene students
  • dental hygiene education
  • musculoskeletal disorders
  • ergonomics
  • musculoskeletal pain
  • stretching exercises
  • Received October 17, 2019.
  • Accepted July 9, 2020.
  • Copyright © 2021 The American Dental Hygienists’ Association
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American Dental Hygienists' Association: 95 (1)
American Dental Hygienists' Association
Vol. 95, Issue 1
February 2021
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Prevention and Reduction of Musculoskeletal Pain Through Chair-Side Stretching among Dental Hygiene Students
Whitni H. Nye, Brian B. Partido, John DeWitt, Rachel C. Kearney
American Dental Hygienists' Association Feb 2021, 95 (1) 84-91;

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Prevention and Reduction of Musculoskeletal Pain Through Chair-Side Stretching among Dental Hygiene Students
Whitni H. Nye, Brian B. Partido, John DeWitt, Rachel C. Kearney
American Dental Hygienists' Association Feb 2021, 95 (1) 84-91;
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Keywords

  • dental hygiene students
  • dental hygiene education
  • musculoskeletal disorders
  • ergonomics
  • musculoskeletal pain
  • stretching exercises

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