ADHA Access July 2012 : Page 28
working ented hygienists,” she said. Fisher added that she is strongly in sup-port of Senate Bill 694, which she described as ‘multipronged’ in that it would require the state of California to establish an office of oral health with a dental director, among other strategies to address the issue of oral disease in the vulnerable and underserved populations. “I support the bill, with the caveat that hygienists would be funneled into the workforce development plan with consideration for the two years plus of training they already have under their belts. It would be a huge mistake to by-pass an already highly skilled group of profes-sionals who could be utilized quickly to fight this epidemic.” Fisher believes that professional involvement and volunteer work create opportunities for growth. “Join your local component. Find out what community service projects your chapter is working on and help them make it happen. Bring your own ideas to share. It is much more fun when I work with my fellow hygienists rather than by myself,” she said. “By gaining volunteer experience, you can grow your skills, build your resume, and find opportunities that may lead you to unexpected experiences and connection with other people.” Fisher encourages her fellow hygienists to become involved in public health. “See a need in your community—use your skills to help. There was a recent study that I heard about, which studied what gave people the most job satisfaction, and it turned out that people who were happiest at work were the ones who felt they were helping other people. I find this to make me the happiest, and it seems like it might be true for many of us. We have been given skills that not many people have, and we can make a huge positive impact in the world.” For more information on Fisher or her career, please email her at fishermarn@aol.com. This edition of Working was prepared by Mariam Pera. n continued on page 27 continuing education course in physical preservation and fitness for dental professionals. It can be found on the Procter & Gamble website, www.dentalcare.com/en-US/home.aspx (course #366 under Self Improvement). In addition to content material, it ends with video demonstrations of associated exercises that can help prepare us to become fit to sit. Many of these can be incorporated into daily practice to minimize postural stress, and for those in education, this course can be integrated into the curriculum to prepare students for a long and healthy career. References 1. Melloh M, Elfering A. Egli Presland C. et al. Identification of prognostic factors for chronicity in patients with low back pain: a review of screening instruments. Int Orthopaedics. Apr 2009; 33(2): 301-13. 2. MacDonald D, Moseley GL, Hodges PW. Why do some patients keep hurting their back? Evidence of ongoing back muscle dysfunction during remission from recurrent back pain. Pain. Apr 2009 ; 142(3): 183-8 . 3. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Low back pain Fact sheet. Available at: www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/backpain/ detail_backpain.htm. Accessed May 30, 2012. 4. U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. Lost work time injuries and illnesses: characteristics and resulting days away from work, 2003. Washington D.C.: United States Department of Labor, 2004. 5. National Occupational Research Agenda for Musculoskeletal Disorders: Research topics for the next decade, a report by the NORA Musculoskeletal Disorders Team. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Insti-tute for Occupational Safety and Health, Jan. 2001, p.7. 6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. NIOSH Program Portfolio, Draft HCSA Goals. Available at: www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/hcsa/ goals.html. Accessed May 29, 2010. 7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NIOSH. NIOSH Publication No. 97-141: Musculoskeletal disorders and workplace factors: a critical review of epidemiologic evidence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, upper extremity, and low back. CDC: July 1997. Available at: www. cdc.gov/niosh/docs/97-141/ergotxt1.html. Accessed May 29, 2012. 8. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor. Nonfatal occupa-tional injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work, 2010. Economic News Release November 9, 2011. Available at: www.bls.gov/news.release/ osh2.nr0.htm. Accessed May 29, 2012. 9. Hayes MJ, Cockrell D, Smith DR. A systematic review of musculoskeletal disorders among dental professionals. Int J Dent Hyg. 2009; 7: 159–65. 10. Finsen L, Christensen H, Bakke M. Musculoskeletal disorders among dentists and variation in dental work. Appl Ergon. 1998; 29: 119–25. 11. Anton D, Rosecrance J, Merlino L, Cook T. Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and carpal tunnel syndrome among dental hygienists. Am J Industrial Med. Sep 2002; 42(3): 248–57. 12. Akesson I, Johnsson B, Rylander L, et al. Musculoskeletal disorders among female dental personnel – clinical examination and a 5-year follow-up study of symptoms. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. Sep 1999; 72(6): 395–403. 13. Booyens SJ, van Wyk PJ, Postma TC. Musculoskeletal disorders amongst practicing South African oral hygienists. SADJ. Oct. 2009; 64(9): 400-3. 14. Morse T, Bruneau H, Michalak-Turcotte C, et al. Musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and shoulder in dental hygienists and dental hygiene students. J Dent Hyg. 2007; 81(1): 10. 15. Hayes MD, Smith DR, Cockrell D. Prevalence and correlates of musculoskel-etal disorders among Australian dental hygiene students. Int J Dent Hyg. Aug. 2009; 7(3): 176-81. 16. Dylla J, Forrest JL. Practice in motion, course #366 under Self-Improvement. February 3, 2011. Available at, www.dentalcare.com. (Procter & Gamble website). Accessed May 30, 2012. guest editorial continued from page 4 { They also reported the prevalence rate of general musculoskel-etal pain in dentists and hygienists to be between 64 percent and 93 percent, with the occurrence of MSDs more prevalent in hygienists than dentists. While some data for dental hygiene professionals point to risk fac-tors and associations with MSDs, there is clearly a paucity of literature establishing MSDs in dental hygiene students, where career prepara-tion and formation of habits begin. Only two studies were identified that examined MSDs in dental hygiene students. 14,15 They found risk factors (working with a bent neck, static posture, precise motions and repetition) to have a stepwise progression from the students with no prior clinical experience, to student/assistant, to the experienced dental hygienist. Results also demonstrated significant associations between shoulder pain and working above shoulder height, and neck symptoms when working with a bent neck. While both studies identi-fied the neck and shoulder regions to be vulnerable to MSDs in stu -dents, only one study identified the low back as an area of complaint. Overall, risk factors and symptoms all increased in frequency with professional progression. While some data for dental hygiene professionals point to risk factors and associations with MSDs, there is clearly a paucity of literature establishing MSDs in dental hygiene students, where career preparation and formation of habits begin. Solutions to these problems must be linked to our understand-ing of anatomy, the movement-related sciences, and risk factors that contribute to MSDs. To assist in educating the profession and those who may be experiencing work-related pain, we highly recom-mend Practice in Motion , 16 a multimedia, free four-credit hour online Jane L. Forrest, RDH, EdD is professor of Clinical Dentistry; section chair, Behavioral Science, Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California; and director, National Center for Dental Hygiene Research & Practice. Jacquelyn M. Dylla, DPT, PT is director, USC PT Associates – UPC; assis-tant professor of Clinical Physical Therapy, Division of Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy, Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California. n 28 JUL 2012 access
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