Comparison of prevalence of symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome between dental students and dental practitioners - A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) arises from compression of the median nerve when it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Dental professionals use vibratory instruments for prolong duration with tight pinch like grip to avoid slippage of tiny instruments into oral cavity leads to symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Risk factors and symptoms are based on their age, gender, no of working hours and their dental specialty. Dental students are also exposed to these risk factors hence this study aims to find out prevalence of symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome in dental students and to compare their prevalence of symptoms with dental practitioners Risk factors and symptoms are based on their age, gender, no of working hours and their dental specialty. Dental students are also exposed to these risk factors hence this study aims to find out prevalence of symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome in dental students and to compare their prevalence of symptoms with dental practitioners. The cross-sectional study was conducted among total 171 dental students and dental practitioners in India. After taking demographic data Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire were used to assess severity of symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome After taking demographic data Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire were used to assess severity of symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS software. Results: prevalence of symptoms of CTS was found in both dental students and dental practitioners. After comparison was done, equal prevalence was found in dental students and dental practitioners.. Conclusion: this study concludes that both dental practitioners and dental students especially, interns have prevalence of symptoms of CTS due to exposure to prolong awkward hand posture and repetitive hand motionsBackground: carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) arises from compression of the median nerve when it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Dental professionals use vibratory instruments for prolong duration with tight pinch like grip to avoid slippage of tiny instruments into oral cavity leads to symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Risk factors and symptoms are based on their age, gender, no of working hours and their dental specialty. Dental students are also exposed to these risk factors hence this study aims to find out prevalence of symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome in dental students and to compare their prevalence of symptoms with dental practitioners Risk factors and symptoms are based on their age, gender, no of working hours and their dental specialty. Dental students are also exposed to these risk factors hence this study aims to find out prevalence of symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome in dental students and to compare their prevalence of symptoms with dental practitioners. The cross-sectional study was conducted among total 171 dental students and dental practitioners in India. After taking demographic data Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire were used to assess severity of symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome After taking demographic data Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire were used to assess severity of symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS software. Results: prevalence of symptoms of CTS was found in both dental students and dental practitioners. After comparison was done, equal prevalence was found in dental students and dental practitioners.. Conclusion: this study concludes that both dental practitioners and dental students especially, interns have prevalence of symptoms of CTS due to exposure to prolong awkward hand posture and repetitive hand motions