Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among dental students of King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Aim To evaluate the presence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) among undergraduate dental students of the College of Dentistry, King Saud University (KSU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2017 and distributed to150 undergraduate female, and male dental students of KSU who had started to work with patients in the clinic or with manikins. Data were collected related to WRMSDs. Results Nearly, 142 (95%) students returned the completed questionnaire, 88 (62%) were females and 54 (38%) were males. The results of this study indicate that musculoskeletal symptoms among dental students of KSU are high. Females generally reported more WRMSDs. Seventy-two percent of females and 41% of males reported frequent headaches. Fourteen percent of females and 6% of males had some musculoskeletal pain disorders before joining the dental profession, whereas 68% of females and 43% of males reported pain attributed to their clinical dental work. In the majority of females (67%) and males (61%), the onset of pain was gradual. Commonly reported pain sites in both females and males were the neck, shoulder, upper and lower back. The most common pain sites, among females were shoulder and neck, and upper- and lower-back among males. Conclusion The WRMSDs can affect the dental professionals from the early stages of their clinical carrier, even as dental students. Concrete steps are required to prevent the occurrence of WRMSDs among dental students by providing them the detailed knowledge about theoretical and practical aspects of dental ergonomics. Higher prevalence of WRMSDs among female dental students indicate that female dental professionals need to be extra vigilant to adhere to the principles of dental ergonomics from the very beginning of their clinical career. Clinical significance The awareness to implement the principles of dental ergonomics among dental students can help to prevent early development of WRMSDs among them. The inclusion of dental ergonomics as a detailed stand-alone subject in the dental curriculum before the start of clinical training can contribute minimize the risk of WRMSDs throughout the professional life of the dentists.