USE OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE FOR WORK RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS ASSOCIATED WITH JOB CONTENTMENT IN DENTAL PROFESSIONALS INDIAN OUTLOOK

Abstract

Background: High prevalence rates of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) among dentistshave been reported. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies can be helpful inmanaging and preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was todetermine if dental professionals are using CAM for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Who havegreater job satisfaction: dentist who uses Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) orconventional therapy (CT) as a treatment modality for WRMSDMETHOD: Dentists who registered in Uttar Pradesh state, India under Indian Dental Council, UttarPradesh branch (n=1134) were surveyed. Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analysesand logistic regression.RESULT: A response rate of 53% (n=601) was obtained, revealing that 82% (n=487) of the respondentssuffered from work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The use of complementary and alternativemedicine or conventional therapy was reported among 80% (n=390) of the dentists with work-relatedmusculoskeletal disorders. Complementary and alternative medicine users reported greater overall healthcompared to conventional therapy users (P<0.001). Of those with work-related musculoskeletaldisorders, 35.5% (n=172) considered a career change for once, and 4.0% (n=19) reported having leftdentistry.CONCLUSION: Complementary and alternative medicine therapies may improve q uality of life, reducework disruptions and enhance job satisfaction for dentists who suffer from work-related musculoskeletaldisorders. It is important that dentists incorporate complementary and alternative medicine strategiesinto practice to facilitate musculoskeletal health that will enable longer and healthier careers, increaseproductivity, provide safer workplace and prevent musculoskeletal disorders.