Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder and alternative medicine therapies among dentists of North India: A descriptive study

Devanand Gupta, Amit Mathur; Gaurav I. Patil; Harshad K. Tippanawar; Ankita Jain; Namita Jaggi; Rajendra Kumar Gupta; Purnima Garg

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder and alternative medicine therapies among dentists of North India: A descriptive study

Articles

Abstract

Pharmacognosy Research,2015,7,4,350-354.

DOI:10.4103/0974-8490.157810

Published:October 2015

Type:Original Article

Authors:

Author(s) affiliations:

Devanand Gupta¹, Amit Mathur², Gaurav I Patil³, Harshad K Tippanawar⁴, Ankita Jain⁵, Namita Jaggi⁶, Rajendra Kumar Gupta⁷, Purnima Garg⁸

¹Department of Public Health Dentistry, Institute of Dental Science, Bareilly, General Secretary, International Society for Holistic Dentistry, Uttrakhand, India.

²Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Vaidik Dental College and Research Centre, Daman, India.

³Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, JSS Dental college and hospital, Mysore, India.

⁴Department of Conservative, endodontics and esthetics dentistry, JSS Dental college and hospital, Mysore, India.

⁵Department of Public Health Dentistry, Teerthankar Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.

⁶Department of Orthodontics, DJ College of Dental Science and research, Modinagar, Uttrakhand, India.

⁷Principal, Government Degree college, Banbasa, Uttrakhand, India.

⁸Consultant Stomatologist, Dehradun, Uttrakhand, India.

Abstract:

Aim: Health professionals especially the dental professional are the frequent targets of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) can be of some help in managing these MSD especially in. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of CAM therapies as a treatment modality for MSD management among dental professionals of north India. Materials and Methods: Registered dentist of North Indian origin, India (n = 3598) were included in the study. The questionnaire was sent to all the dentists which consisted of the demographic profile, MSD in the past year, CAM therapies utilization and opinion about CAM therapies. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21 and data were presented in tabular and graphic form. Test of significance was done using chi-square statistics with P < 0.05 considered as significant. Results: A response rate of 80% (n = 2879) was obtained, and all complained of MDS in some or the other part of their life. The use of CAM was reported among 70% (n = 2015) of the dentist who suffered from MSD. Other dentists either used conventional treatment or did not use anything. Conclusion: As the name implies, alternative medical systems is a category that extends beyond a single modality and refers to an entire system of theory and practice that developed separately from conventional medicine. CAM should be subject to rigorous scientific inquiry so that interventions that work are systematically distinguished from those that do not. In addition, the use of CAM treatments should be based on evidence of effectiveness and safety as demonstrated in randomized clinical trials.