Prevalence of repetitive strain injuries/work related musculoskeletal disorders in different specialties of dentists

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Identify the prevalence of Repetitive Strain Injuries/Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in dentists of different specialties from Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil. METHODS: A questionnaire about personal and professional informations and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire, that has questions about movement difficulty, pain symptoms, weakness, stiffness, paresthesia and psychological and sleep impairment related to last week, was given to 200 dentists from Porto Velho city. However, 100 of them gave back the questionnaires appropriately answered within the time limit, consisting of 100 dentists the sample of this study. The collected data was analyzed by simple descriptive statistics and the Spearman nonparametric correlation test was applied between independent variables and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire disabilities measures, considering p<0.05. RESULTS: The questionnaire disability average was "excellent" for the general sample, but it was found statistical correlation between upper disability measurements and two variables: short time in profession (less than ten years) and the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Implantology and Stomatology specialties. CONCLUSION: It is necessary the dentists that are specialists in these areas and the newly graduated ones do a self-assessment and find out if they are neglecting ergonomic standards so they can follow them.