Work‐Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Brazilian Dental Students

Abstract

The aim of this analytical cross‐sectional study was to evaluate the presence of work‐related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) among dental students in two Brazilian dental schools. The sample included 227 randomized subjects from fifth to ninth semesters who were developing clinical activities. Each student signed an informed consent form. A self‐reporting questionnaire was used to obtain data on the practice of physical exercise, the presence of pain during or soon after treating patients, and the adoption of preventive measures related to clinical activities. Results were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 13.0. The χ2 test was used to identify associations between variables. The presence of pain during or after clinical work was reported by 173 participants (76.2 percent). Statistically significant differences were found between gender and the occurrence of pain. Pain was present during clinical activities (p=0.006) and imposed limitations on the work routine (p=0.011). Among those who practiced physical exercise, eighty‐eight (74.6 percent) reported pain. The high percentage of pain reported by dental students suggests the value of reviewing work conditions in dental practices in order to minimize the exposure of all workers to WMSD.

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Symptoms among Czech Dental Students. Part 1: a Questionnaire Survey

“…The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among dental students in this study was lower than in other studies (2,(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27). In accordance to other studies the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was higher in women than men (2,6,21,23,25,28,31), nevertheless, the difference was on the limit of statistical significance. A difference was found between the years of studies, however it was not statistically significant.…”

“…Hodačová et al (6) found an influence of the severe disease or injury of the locomotive apparatus on the musculoskeletal pain among dental practitioners. In the study of De Carvalho et al (21) regularly doing exercises didn't have any influence on musculoskeletal pain, whereas Shirzaei et al (28) proved a lower average intensity of pain in students, who did stretching after the patients treatment. In the study of Sharma et al (20) 80% of responding dentists declared, that the cause of their pain was the lack of physical activity.…”

“…MSDs begin from dental school studies with an prevalence among students between 44% and 93% (2,(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27). Students of the final two years suffer from musculoskeletal pain more often than the students of the first two years (28).…”

The role of ergonomic saddle seats and magnification loupes in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. A systematic review

“…Therefore, it becomes clear that dentists and dental hygienists and therapists are at particularly high risk of developing MSDs during their careers. These may occur as early as undergraduate training with debilitating consequences on the clinician's practising live and well‐being. MSDs are a common reason for dentists and dental hygienists to seek medical care and being absent from work .…”

Do dental students have a neutral working posture?

“…Significant MSDs risk factors specific to dental prac- Some researchers suggest that MSDs in dental practitioners begin as early as clinical training period at dental school [26][27][28]. In two separate studies in Iran and Spain, near 80% of dental students reported body pain in at least one body region [29,30].…”