Carpal tunnel syndrome - an occupational hazard facing dentistry.

BACKGROUND The authors wished to evaluate the comprehensive literature on carpal tunnel syndrome to discover work specific to carpal tunnel syndrome among dentists in order to determine whether there is any correlation with dentists having a higher prevalence of its occurrence. METHODS A review of dental literature involving carpal tunnel syndrome was undertaken. Details appearing in the literature before 1995 was reviewed in a comprehensive manner and the literature after 1995 were reviewed electronically. RESULTS The prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome is higher in dental professionals involved in various aspects of dental specialties. CONCLUSIONS Abnormal postures, including muscle imbalances, muscle necrosis, trigger points, hypomobile joints, nerve compression and spinal disk herniation or degeneration may result in serious detrimental physiological changes in the body. These changes often result in pain, injury or possible neuroskeletal disorders. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Dentists have an increased risk of carpal tunnel syndrome and precautions and care should be exercised to prevent detrimental irreversible changes occurring.