1Assistant Professor, Dept. of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Naresuan University, Thailand
2UG Student, Dept. of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Naresuan University, Thailand
3Associate Professor, Dept. of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Naresuan University, Thailand
*Corresponding Author: Email: rungarunkk@yahoo.com
Online published on 14 June, 2017.
The aim of this study was to investigate the self-reported prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal pain amongst fifth year dental students of Naresuan University, Thailand.
Sixty eight dental students were recruited. A modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was conducted to assess the prevalence of the site of pain. Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and personal factors questionnaire were provided to evaluate risk postures during their clinical work and to ascertain the personal factors related to musculoskeletal pain, correspondingly.
83.82% and 100% of the dental students reported at least one musculoskeletal pain in the past seven days and twelve months, respectively. The high prevalence regions included neck (82.35%), upper back (60.29%), right hand and wrist (48.53%), and lower back and right shoulder (each 47.06%). The 95.6% of dental students had a highest risk level of the RULA score. There was a significant association between gender and right shoulder pain along with BMI and low back pain (p<0.05).
From the results of both high prevalence and risk levels of musculoskeletal pain from poor working posture, we can thereby suggest adoption of better working postures and prevention strategies like exercises to decrease the risk of musculoskeletal problems.
Musculoskeletal pain, Dental students, Risk factor
