Background/purpose: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) was investigated among dentists in Taiwan, and risk factors for MSDs were evaluated for symptoms in different parts of the body. Materials and methods: The Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire modified by the Taiwan Institute of Occupational Safety and Health was completed by 197 dentists (146 males and 51 females) from the members of three groups: the Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (n Z 33), the Association of Family Dentistry (n Z 55), and the Taichung County Dental Association (n Z 109). Reported symptoms were compared by means of a Chi-square test according to various risk factors. Results: More than half of the respondents had experienced symptoms in the shoulders (75%), neck (72%), and lower back (66%) in the year before the survey. The three parts of the body with lower prevalence (13e15%) of trouble were hips/thighs/buttocks, knees, and ankles/ feet. Seven percent of respondents indicated no trouble in any part of their bodies. The prevalence of trouble in the neck increased when the number of days worked per week increased. Risk factors (p < 0.05) included working in a medical center for the shoulders; working with no more than one dental assistant, having a body height of >178 cm, and having a mean working time of >10 min/patient for the elbows; being <36 years old, having <11 years of experience, and having a mean time for forward bending or using a handpiece/scaler per patient for the wrists/hands; working 7 d/wk for the lower back and knees; having a patient load of >20 patients/d and being >35 years old for the hips/thighs/buttocks; and a having mean working time of >48 h/wk for the lower back.

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Background/purpose: This study was carried out to evaluate Taiwanese dentists' knowledge and practice towards preventive dental care. Materials and methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted at the nationwide annual dental congress in 2008 in Taipei, Taiwan. Dentists' knowledge about preventive dentistry was assessed based on their responses to 19 statements. Dentists' attitudes towards preventive dentistry were assessed based on responses to the effectiveness of 16 preventive procedures. The dentists were also asked about their experience with the use of sealants and fluoride. Results: More than 80% could not distinguish between new and old theories of the mechanism of action of fluoride. The correct answer was "remineralization of incipient decay", not "incorporation of fluoride into developing teeth". Also 68% incorrectly answered that "lactobacilli play a more-significant role in the initiation of smooth surface carious lesions than do mutans streptococci", an older theory. Over 80% perceived the effectiveness of "pit and fissure sealants", "professional prophylaxis", and "flossing" for preventing caries in children, and the last 2 procedures for adults. "Community water fluoridation" and sealants were selected as the most effective procedures for caries prevention in children, and "professional prophylaxis" and "flossing" for adults. Although sealants were perceived as being effective, 44% of dentists reported that they only applied sealants to 10% of their [children/pediatric?] patients. The reasons were that patients had difficulty understanding the value (67%) and