Symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders among Brazilian dentists
Joanna Carolina Bachiega, Kristianne Porta Santos Fernandes, Raquel Agnelli Mesquita-Ferrari, João Carlos Ferrari Correa, Edgar Ramos Vieira, Sandra Kalil Bussadori
Med Sci Tech 2012; 53(3): RA113-117
ID: 883609
Available online:
Published: 2012-12-03
Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) is one of the most prevalent occupational conditions. In professional practice, dentists are exposed to a number of factors that can trigger this disorder. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of symptoms and factors related to WMSD among a group of Brazilian dentists.
Material/Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, which allows the identification of the exact site of the complaint and its relation to the work performed. One hundred dental surgeons participated in the study (71 females and 29 males).
Results: The most common complaints of WMSD were concentrated in the neck (67%), lower back (61%), wrists/hands/fingers (47%), and shoulders (38%), regardless of the specialty. The analysis revealed that symptoms were more frequent among general dentists and pediatric dentists.
Conclusions: There was a high occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The neck and lower back were the most affected anatomic sites among the dentists surveyed.
Keywords: Cumulative Trauma Disorders, Occupational Diseases, occupational risk
