THE PREVALENCE OF NECK PAIN AMONG DENTISTS IN MISURATA, LIBYA, STUDY OF CAUSES AND TREATMENT MANAGEMENT

Abstract

The dental profession is both physically and intellectually demanding because of the numerous treatment  procedures, required focus, and mental strain, therefore, dental profession is one of the occupational risk factors of Cervical pain. A number of studies have shown that neck pain often starts early in dental career even during educational training. This study aims to determine the prevalence of neck pain among Libyan dental professionals, as well as describe factors associated to work-related musculoskeletal  disorders, Moreover this study explained primary causes of neck pain, degree of severity and primary strategy for managing neck pain.

Material and Methods: A cross sectional study involved 194 dentists working in government and private hospitals and clinics in Misurata from December to May 2025. Data were collected using a questionnaire to collect responses from the study population regarding the prevalence of neck pain among dentists, based on insights drawn from various previous studies, a preliminary version of the questionnaire was designed. Results: the response rate was 100%, female respondents represented the highest proportion of the study sample at 54.1%, whereas male respondents accounted for a smaller proportion of 45.9%. results indicated that the majority of the sample (81.8%) suffer from neck pain, while a smaller proportion (23.2%) do not report experiencing such pain. The current study has revealed that the most frequently cited cause of neck pain was incorrect working posture (54.1%). Other notable factors included long working hours (18%) and insufficient physical activity (16.5%). Less common causes were stress/fatigue (5.7%).

Conclusion:
Dentists in Misurata are likely to develop neck pain due to incorrect working posture as other notable factors included long working hours, stress/fatigue and the use of uncomfortable tools.