Prolonged work with highly repetitious flexion and extension of the wrist and forceful grip task were
shown to increase the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among dental personnel. The present
study was carried out to determine the prevalence, risk factors and coping strategies of probable CTS among
clinical dental support staff in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM). A cross-sectional study was conducted
and a set of questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic status, work-related and psychosocial risk factors and
coping strategies was distributed. Ninety-five clinical dental support staff completed and returned the
questionnaire with a response rate of 80.5%. The prevalence of probable CTS was 38.9%, with the highest
prevalence was found among dental surgery assistants (40.5%) followed by dental technologists (29.7%). There
was no significant association between work-related or psychosocial risk factors with probable CTS (p>0.05).
Most of the respondents with symptoms of CTS chose religion as the coping mechanism; mean 7.11 (SD 1.13).
Awareness training should be emphasized among clinical dental support staff on the prevention of CTS.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome