Affiliations: [a] Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| [b] Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| [c] Rehabilitation Department, International Medical Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| [d] Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Heba Jafar Sabbagh, Associate Professor, Pediatric Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, PO Box 80200, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia. E-mail: hsabbagh@kau.edu.sa. ORCID: 0000-0002-9788-0379.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Dentistry is a profession that demands a high level of physical work and excessive repetitive movements in strained positions, both of which are risk factors for developing musculoskeletal pain (MS-P). OBJECTIVE:This study aims to assess the awareness of ergonomics and physical activities in controlling MS-P among dental students. METHODS:A cross-sectional study conducted at a university dental hospital in Saudi Arabia, through a validated self-administered questionnaire, distributed to undergraduates and postgraduate’s dental students. RESULTS:Out of 402 students responded to the questionnaire, 337(83.8%) reported suffering from MS-P with 67.7% of participants did not take any measures to alleviate their symptoms and the majority reported limited physical activity. Females reported significantly higher MS-P than males. Lower back (56.5%), neck (56.2%) and shoulder (50%) were the most frequently reported MS-P. Unexpectedly, undergraduate reporting significantly more pain than interns and postgraduate students (P = 0.009). The dental students’ awareness of ergonomics and MSDs were insufficient. CONCLUSION:Physical activity, student’s awareness of MSD and ergonomics were the major factors for controlling MS-Ps. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of enhancing students’ knowledge of the importance of controlling work-related MS-P, especially during their university educational hours.
