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Abstract
Objective
The dental profession exposes dentists to many burdensome and harmful factors, such as the irrational posture adopted by dentists while working that causes discomfort and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders [MSDs] among dentists in Kerman, Iran.
Methods
In this study, MSDs of 110 dentists and a control group of 110 office workers were studied by means of a standardized Nordic questionnaire. Data were assessed by SPSS 15 and chi-square and Fisher exact tests. P < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results
Neck symptoms were reported in 46.4 percent of dentists and 24.5 percent of office workers, with neck and elbow symptoms significantly higher among dentists [P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively]. The prevalence of wrist, low back, and shoulder symptoms during the last 12 months among dentists was 33.8, 28.8, and 27.5 percent, respectively. No significant differences in reported symptoms were found when considering age, years of work, hours of practice per day, and handedness among dentists.
Conclusion
Our results showed that further attention should be directed toward identifying risk factors that cause MSDs among dentists. Knowledge about the scope of ergonomics and prophylaxis, as well as health and safety measures at the work place, should be imparted professionally during undergraduate training and perfected in various forms during post-graduate training.