TY  - JOUR
AU  - Pooja Arya
AU  - Arti Rauthan
TI  - Ergonomic interventions and physiotherapy for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among dental professionals: A narrative review
JO  - Journal of Scientific Advances in Dentistry
PY  - 2026
VL  - 1
IS  - 2
SP  - 68
EP  - 73
DO  - 10.65929/JSAD.2026.1.2.007
SN  - 3139-4167
AB  - One of the most common and career-limiting occupational injuries in dental practice is associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) which are caused by prolonged static and asymmetric postures, sustained fine-motor precision and the restricted operating space in the oral cavity. There is a wide range of prevalence reported over the career and symptoms can often develop as early as during the undergraduate clinical years. Preventive strategies have been traditionally studied separately, mostly under the physical ergonomics umbrella (operator-chair mechanics, magnification loupes with optimized declination angle, 4-handed dentistry), or under the physiotherapeutic exercise umbrella (core stabilization, scapular re-education, structured micro-breaks). This narrative review summarizes the available evidence relating to the intervention families and especially to the families using both interventions. Based on the results of randomized, quasi-experimental, and comparative longitudinal studies found in the major databases, the review suggests that there is only a moderate effect that can be achieved from single-layer interventions because implementing equipment alone is not sufficient to re-train the entrenched neuromotor habits. Multi-component protocols, on the other hand – which combine structural ergonomic modification with targeted (professionally supervised) physiotherapy, consistently deliver large, clinically relevant decreases in pain intensity and objective postural-risk scores, with the largest effects when four handed workflows and specialty-specific loupes are integrated with active neuromuscular conditioning. The review also emphasizes the early stage of dysfunction of dental trainees and calls for the incorporation of ergonomic and physiotherapeutic education in curricula and occupational-health policy. Evidence-informed integrated programs are the most defensible way to maintain the health of dental practitioners and their clinical longevity in the dental workforce.
UR  - https://dentistryjournal.org/volume/1/issue/2/article/ergonomic-interventions-and-physiotherapy-for-work-related-musculoskeletal-disorders-wmsds-among-dental-professionals
ER  -