Longitudinal Evaluation of Occupational Postural Risk, Ergonomic Adaptation, and CervicoMusculoskeletal Symptoms among Oral Healthcare Clinicians

Occupational oral healthcare practice frequently requires prolonged static posture, repetitive upper-extremity movements, sustained cervical flexion, and continuous visual concentration within restricted operative fields. These occupational demands may contribute to cumulative cervico-musculoskeletal strain and work-related musculoskeletal disorders among clinicians. This longitudinal observational study evaluated occupational postural risk, ergonomic adaptation, and cervico-musculoskeletal symptom patterns among oral healthcare clinicians over a 12-month follow-up period. A total of 60 oral healthcare clinicians were evaluated using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) tool and the standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire at baseline, six months, and twelve months. Ergonomic practice adherence was additionally assessed using a structured observational checklist. Longitudinal changes in ergonomic risk exposure and symptom prevalence were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and multivariate regression modeling. Mean REBA scores demonstrated a significant progressive reduction from 6.8 ± 1.1 at baseline to 5.7 ± 0.9 at twelve months (p < 0.001). The cervical region, shoulders, and lower back were the most frequently affected anatomical sites. Ergonomic practice adherence showed a significant negative correlation with symptom severity (r = −0.46, p = 0.003). Higher baseline ergonomic risk and longer clinical experience were significantly associated with persistent symptoms. Overall, improved ergonomic adaptation was associated with reduced occupational postural risk and lower cervico-musculoskeletal symptom burden during follow-up.