MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS IN THE POPULATION OF DENTISTRY STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NIŠ, SERBIA
Abstract
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are characterized by discomfort, occasional or permanent pain in the joints, muscles, tendons and other soft tissues caused by the repetition of certain body movements or uncomfortable and forced body posture. Dentistry is considered a high-risk profession for the development of these disorders. The aim of the research was to investigate the occurrence of MSD in the population of dental students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Serbia. Total of 170 dental students participated in the research. In order to examine the emergence and distribution of MSD, students filled out a modified Nordic questionnaire. The results showed that 70.6% of students suffer from MSD. MSD were almost equally represented in both genders (69.7% in male and 71.1% in female). The most common localization of pain was in the area of the upper back in 32.3% of cases. A total of 54.1% of students declared that the pain intensity was moderate and that in 41.2% of cases it lasted as long as the work with the patient. In 49.4% of cases, the pain does not affect practical work, and as a relief measure in 53.3% of cases, students use rest. MSD appear already in the first years of studies and tend to intensify with the length of studies. Given that musculoskeletal pain occurs already in the early period of student practice, it is necessary to study ergonomic factors that are of great importance for the occurrence and intensification of these disorders.
References
Bruers, J., Trommelen, L.M., Hawi, P., Brand, H.S. (2017) Musculoskeletal disorders among dentists and dental students in the Netherlands. Nederlands tijdschrift voor tandheelkunde, 124 11, 581-587.
Crawford, J.O. (2007) The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Occup Med, 57, 300–301.
Deka, N. (2016) Evaluation od ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders among post-graduate dental students. Int J Appl Dent Sci, 2, 16-18.
Hashim, R., Salah, A., Mayahi, F., Hashim, S.H. (2021) Prevalence of postural musculoskeletal symptoms among dental students in United Arab Emirates. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 22, 30.
Hendi, O.M., Alturkistani, L.H., Bajaber, A.S., Alhamoud, M.A., Mahfouz, M.E., Mahmoud, Mahfouz, M.E. (2021) Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder and its relation to stress among Medical student at Taif University, Saudi Arabia. Int J Prev Med, 12, 98.
Felemban, R.A., Sofi, R.A., Alhebshi, S.A., Alharbi, S.G., Farsi, N.J., Fahad, H., Abduljabbar, F.H., Farsi, J.M.A. (2021) Prevalence and Predictors of Musculoskeletal Pain Among Undergraduate Students at a Dental School in Saudi Arabia. Clin Cosmet Investig Dent, 13, 39–46.
Kuorinka, I., Jonsson, B., Kilbom, A. et al. (1987) Standardized Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. Appl Ergon, 18, 233–237.
Lietz, J., Ulusoy, N., Nienhaus, A. (2020) Prevention of Musculoskeletal Diseases and Pain among Dental Professionals through Ergonomic Interventions: A Systematic Literature Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 17, 3482.
Longridge, N.N., Panju, R., Fox, K. (2020) Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional, Pilot Study from a UK University Teaching Hospital. J Musculoskelet Disord Treat, 6, 079.
Madadizadeh, F., Vali, L., Rafiei, S., Akbarnejad, Z. (2017) Risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and shoulder in the personnel of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Electron Physician, 9, 4341-4348.
Presoto, C.D., Wajngarten, D., Garcia, P.P.N.S. (2016) Risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders in dental students – a qualitative study. Br J Med Medic Res, 18, 1-9.
Rising, D.W., Bennet, B.C., Hursh, K., Plesh, O. (2005) Reports of body pain in a dental student population. J Am Dent Assoc, 136, 81-86.
Sezer, B., Kartal, S., Sıddıkoğlu, D., Kargül, B. (2022) Association between work-related musculoskeletal symptoms and quality of life among dental students: a cross-sectional study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 23, 41.
Silva, V., Pinho, M.E., Vaz, M. (2016) Musculoskeletal pain and physical workload among dental students. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/299532965, DOI: 10.1201/b21172-39
Stambaugh, J.E., Calleros, C., Siegel, P., Nathe C. (2021) Evaluating the Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Neck Pain in Dental Hygiene Students. J Dent Hyg, 95, 58-62.
Thanathornwong, B., Suebnukarn, S., Ouivirach, K. (2014) A system for predicting musculoskeletal disorders among dental students. Int J Occup, 20, 463-475.
Vijay, S., Ide M. (2016) Musculoskeletal neck and back pain in undergraduate dental students at a UK dental school – a cross-sectional study. Br Dent J, 221, 241-245.