Musculoskeletal disorders among dental students: a survey from Saudi Arabia

Jood AlSahiem; Sarah Alghamdi; Raghad AlQahtani; Leena Bin-Jardan; Dalal AlMadani; Faraz Ahmed Farooqi; Balgis Gaffar

doi:10.1186/s12903-023-03469-y

Musculoskeletal disorders among dental students: a survey from Saudi Arabia

BMC Oral Health. 2023 Oct 25;23(1):795. doi: 10.1186/s12903-023-03469-y.

Authors

Jood AlSahiem¹, Sarah Alghamdi¹, Raghad AlQahtani¹, Leena Bin-Jardan¹, Dalal AlMadani¹, Faraz Ahmed Farooqi², Balgis Gaffar³

Affiliations

¹ College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
² Department of Dental Education, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
³ Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam Costal Street, B.O Box 1982, 31441, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. bgosman@iau.edu.sa.

Abstract

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are injuries affecting bones, joints, muscles, and tendons due to improper working conditions with serious consequences on health and career. Dentists were found to be at greater risk of developing WMSD compared to other healthcare providers. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of WMSD among dental students in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey-based study recruited dental students across the kingdom using respondent-driven sampling technique. Data was collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal scale and a validated, self- administered, close-ended questionnaire which assessed WMSDs predisposing factors, enabling factors and musculoskeletal disorders consequences and management. The questionnaire was administered in both Arabic and English languages and was distributed online using google forms. Data analysis was performed using SPSS, Chi-square test or Fisher Exact test was used where appropriate and Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of developing WMSDs.

Results: The prevalence of WMSD was 87% (95% CL; 83.9% to 90.3%) among the 462 respondents. Gender, study year, type of practice, having clinics for left-handed, hours of clinical practice, sitting in the proper position while working, use of coping strategies were significantly associated with WMSD prevalence (P < 0.05). Males were OR = 10 times at higher risk of WMSD compared to females (P = 0.0001). Those with daily clinical practice were OR = 5 times at higher risk of WMSD than those who have weekly practice. Those practicing walking, workout, and yoga showed lower prevalence of WMSD (OR = 0.377 & 0.323, p = 0.015, 0.010 respectively).

Conclusions: The prevalence of WMSD among dental students in KSA was high. Males and those with prolonged clinical sessions were at greater risk of WMSD. There is a need for awareness campaigns to educate dental students about risk factors of WMSD. Collegesy, dental colleges should adopt policies in reducing WMSD among their students.

Keywords: Dental student; Dentist; MSD; Musculoskeletal disorders; Musculoskeletal injures; WMSD; Work related Musculoskeletal disorders.

MeSH terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Musculoskeletal Diseases* / complications
Musculoskeletal Diseases* / etiology
Occupational Diseases* / epidemiology
Occupational Diseases* / etiology
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Saudi Arabia / epidemiology
Students, Dental
Surveys and Questionnaires