Musculoskeletal disorder in Hong Kong dental students

Abstract

Dentists are in a profession considered to be one of the highest risk to develop musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) due to the need to work in a prolonged static posture and to perform repetitive precise work using their hands. The aims of this community health project were to investigate the self-perceived MSD of undergraduate dental students, the impacts of MSD on the students’ quality of life, and their knowledge, beliefs, behaviours and coping strategies regarding MSD. Dental students in the alternate years studying at The University of Hong Kong, i.e. years 1, 3 and 5 were invited to participate in a questionnaire survey. The questionnaires were distributed to the selected students in electronic or printed format. A total of 147 students out of the selected 181 students returned a completed questionnaire, giving an overall response rate of 81.2%. The most prevalent problem was shoulder stiffness/pain, with 78.6% of the Year 3 students and 83.3% of the Year 5 students affected. This was followed by neck stiffness/pain and back stiffness/pain. The prevalence and severity of different MSDs of the students were correlated, e.g. if a student had neck stiffness/pain, he/she would be more prone to have other types of MSD with his/her back, shoulder, wrist and fingers. It was found that the MSD has little impact on the quality of life of the dental students. In general, the students’ knowledge on DR-MSD was inadequate. A statistically significant correlation between the student’s MSD situation and their practice in the dental clinic was seldom found. The most popular MSD coping strategies adopted by the students are performing stretching exercises and aerobic exercises. It is recommended that more education on MSD with emphasis on preventive behaviour should be added to the dental undergraduate curriculum. Other than distributing out manuals and leaflets, different means for delivering the messages, such as video, should be used. The Faculty of Dentistry should organise some seminars and workshops on MSD by external experts such as medical doctors and physiotherapists. Dental students should avoid bending their neck and back, and wear loupes during operative procedures in the dental clinic. They should also take breaks whenever possible and do more exercises.