Affiliations: Pediatric Dentistry Department, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran | Student Research Committee, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran | Pediatric Dentistry Department, School of Dentistry, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran | Operative dentistry, School of Dentistry, Ghazvin University of Medical Sciences, Ghazvin, Iran | Department of Dental Public Health, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Mahtab Memarpour, Pediatric
Dentistry Department, School of Dentistry, Shiraz, University of Medical
Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Tel.: +98 711 6263193 4; Fax: +98 711 6270325; E-mail:
memarpour@sums.ac.ir
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), associated
factors and treatment among dentists over a one year period. METHOD: A total of 272 questionnaires were returned complete
providing demographic information, details of the physical workload, location
of pain in the body, and the treatment and prevention of MSDs. All data was
coded for each of the parameters. The association between pain and each of the
parameters was determined by parametric and non-parametric statistical tests (P < 0.05). PARTICIPANTS: General and specialist dentists participated in the
study. The sample set of dentists consisted of 205 (75.4%) generalists and 67
(24.6%) specialists. RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of the total cohort experienced MSDs.
Female dentists complained of pain significantly more frequently than their
male counterparts (p=0.018). Significantly higher rates of pain and MSDs are
related to increased years of work (r=0.168, p =0.017) and less regular
ergonomic exercise (p=0.002). Reported pain was most common in the shoulder
(44.2%), neck (31.8%) and lower back (29.9%). Dentists who worked inclined had
significantly more pain disorder than those who did not (p=0.013). In total
23.5% of dentists reduced working hours and 16.5% sought medical help. CONCLUSION: Pain was most commonly reported in the shoulder, neck
and back. Physical workload is an important factor in MSDs. The impact of MSDs
on the work and life of dentists demonstrates the need for increased knowledge
of MSDs and the instigation of preventive strategies.
Keywords: Musculoskeletal pain, shoulder and neck disorders, dentistry, risk factors
