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Introduction: International literature has documented the presence of many well-known ergonomic risk factors in dental care work, along with a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among dental care professionals (DCP). The extent to which the high prevalence rate manifests as multisite muscle pain (MMP) and the association to well known ergonomic risk factors remain unclear. This cross-sectional survey study aims to assess the current musculoskeletal health status, including the percentage of MSP, pain intensity, MMP and its association of well known risk factors among Danish DCP.

Methods: The 5,361 active members of the Dental Trade and Dental Hygienist Trade Unions were invited to take part in a survey on sociodemographic data, health status, presence and intensity of MSP, levels of physical capacity, work experience, work demands, as well as existing ergonomic and health promotion initiatives in the clinics. Descriptive statistics of reported MSP intensity of 3 or higher in two or more body regions were used to identify the prevalence of MMP. Logistic regression was used to identify the associated characteristics.

Results: The response rate in the survey was 20.5%, with 1,100 DCP responding to questions on MSP. The overall prevalence of MSP in at least one body region in the past three months was 97%, and the prevalence of MMP was 70%. MMP showed significant positive associations with being female (OR 1.71) and working with a bent neck for most working hours (OR 1.53), and a significant negative association with being a dentist (OR 0.69), or reporting high physical (OR 0.84) or mental health (OR 0.93).

Discussion: The results confirmed the musculoskeletal health status as a concern for DCP with almost everybody having had pain within the past three months and especially females and dental hygienist were at risk for MMP. The prevalence of MMP was associated with working with a bent neck and this may indicate a potential for ergonomic advice as a preventive intervention.

Conclusion: IMP and MMP are highly prevalent among Danish DCP and is associated with various characteristics in an otherwise physically active and healthy working population. This study provides new insights into the prevalence of MSP and potential risk factors for MMP in the Danish DCP, which can inform the highly needed preventive and rehabilitative strategies.