Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain and Assessment of Ergonomic Factors in Undergraduate Dental Students: An Observational Study

ABSTRACT Background The musculoskeletal health of dental pro- fessionals has been the focus of several studies globally. It has been estimated that work-related musculoskeletal injuries occur in 54 to 93% of dental professionals. However, when it comes to studies carried out on dental students, there is a dearth of information. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the ergonomic factors and presence of muscular pain in dental students undergoing clinical training at Rajarajeswari Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, India. Materials and methods Data collection was carried out on a sample of 103 students pursuing their undergraduate program in dentistry using a structured questionnaire comprising questions pertaining to the recipient's sociodemographic information, ergonomic features, medical information, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) resulting from clinical practice, musculoskeletal demands, posture related queries, workplace, instruments and exercises. Results The results of this study revealed a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in dental students. Further, the study also highlighted the lack of knowledge among the students which could have led to the aggravation of symptoms. Conclusion Therefore, it is essential to include ergonomics in the dental curriculum so as to educate students regarding adoption of healthy postures and subsequently reduce the risk of MSDs. The etiology of musculoskeletal disease is multifactorial and consequently preventive strategies should focus on ergo- nomics, breaks at work, general health and physical exercise. How to cite this article Kumar RV, Anuroopa P, Nalini MS, Savita S. Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain and Assessment of Ergonomic Factors in Undergraduate Dental Students: An Observational Study. J Health Sci Res 2014;5(2):1-5.