Evaluation of the working posture and upper extremity musculoskeletal complaints among dentistry students

Abstract

Objective: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among dentists is high and adversely affects the quality of life. In this study, we aimed to evaluate musculoskeletal complaints, working postures, and the risk of MSDs among dentistry students across different departments. Methods: 180 dentistry students were divided into six groups according to their departments. For evaluation of the musculoskeletal complaints, we used the standardized Nordic musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire. The working postures and the potentiality of MSDs were evaluated using the ‘Rapid Upper Limb Assessment’ (RULA). Results: We found that 92.8% of the students had musculoskeletal pain during the last 12 months, and the highest prevalence of symptoms was reported for the neck (68.3%) and the upper back (62.2%). The mean RULA score of the students was 5.02 ± 1.31, indicating a high risk of MSDs. The highest RULA mean score was in the pedodontics group. Conclusion: Our study found a high prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints and high RULA scores among all the dentistry students. Therefore, ergonomic solutions should be developed to regulate their working postures according to the relevant department to prevent future disorders and if necessary, students should encourage to seek professional medical help.

Keywords

• Dental Students
• ergonomics
• musculoskeletal pain
• RULA

Diş hekimliği öğrencilerinde çalışma postürlerinin ve üst ekstremite kas iskelet sistemi şikayetlerinin değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Diş hekimleri arasında kas-iskelet sistemi (KIS) rahatsızlıklarının görülme sıklığı yüksektir ve yaşam kalitesini olumsuz etkilemektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı farklı branşlarda çalışan diş hekimliği öğrencilerinde KIS ile ilgili şikayetleri, öğrencilerin çalışma postürlerini ve KIS rahatsızlıklarının gelişme riskini değerlendirmektir. Yöntem: 180 diş hekimliği öğrencisi bölümlerine göre altı gruba ayrıldı. Kas-iskelet sistemi şikayetlerinin değerlendirilmesi için, standardize edilmiş İskandinav kas-iskelet sistemi hastalıkları anketi kullanıldı. Çalışma duruşları ve KIS rahatsızlıklarının gelişim potansiyeli “Hızlı Üst Ekstremite Değerlendirmesi” (RULA) kullanılarak değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Diş hekimliği öğrencilerinin 92.8%’i son 12 ay içinde kas-iskelet sistemi ağrısı yaşamıştır ve en fazla semptom boyunda (68.3%) ve üst sırtta (62.2%) bildirilmiştir. Öğrencilerin ortalama RULA skoru 5.02 ± 1.31 olup KİS hastalıkları için ‘yüksek risk’ olarak kategorize edilmişti. En yüksek RULA skor ortalaması pedodonti bölümünde bulunmuştur. Sonuç: Çalışmamız, öğrencilerde yüksek oranda KIS şikayetleri ve yüksek RULA skorları bulmuştur. Bu nedenle ileride oluşabilecek rahatsızlıkları önlemek için çalışma duruşlarını ilgili bölüme göre düzenleyecek ergonomik çözümler geliştirilmeli ve gerekirse öğrenciler profesyonel tıbbi yardım almaya teşvik edilmelidir.

Keywords

• Diş hekimliği öğrencileri
• ergonomi
• kas-iskelet ağrısı
• RULA

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