Musculoskeletal disorders in the population of dentistry students of the University of Nis, 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.