Factors Associated with Low Back Pain in Dental Students and Practising Dentists: A Systematic Review and Implications for Occupational Health Promotion

Abstract

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is an important occupational health concern among dental students and practising dentists. This systematic review aimed to synthesise evidence on ergonomic and individual factors associated with LBP, distinguish directly measured findings from hypothesised biomechanical or anatomical pathways, and identify implications for multilevel occupational health promotion. Methods: This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidance. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, and Google Scholar were searched for English-language studies published from 1 January 2021 through 31 May 2026. Two reviewers independently screened records and extracted data. Of 327 records identified, 24 full-text reports were assessed and 6 studies were included in a qualitative synthesis because populations, exposures, outcomes, and analytical methods were heterogeneous. Results: Six studies were included. The studies directly assessed self-reported LBP or disability, working posture, sitting duration, physical activity, age, body mass index, years of practice, and, in one study, trunk-movement parameters. Estimates from students and practising dentists were not directly comparable. Non-neutral posture and selected occupational or individual factors were associated with LBP in some studies, but findings were inconsistent for sitting duration, physical activity, and years of practice. Proposed changes in lumbar loading, alignment, or stability were not directly measured in most studies. Conclusion: Available evidence suggests associations between selected ergonomic or individual factors and LBP among dental students and practising dentists, but heterogeneous populations, predominantly cross-sectional designs, and self-reported measures limit causal inference. The findings may inform candidate occupational health-promotion actions at the individual, professional-education, work-organisation, and clinical-environment levels; however, the included studies did not evaluate their effectiveness. Prospective controlled studies are required before preventive effectiveness can be inferred.

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