RÉSUMÉ
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders [MSD] have been a longstanding problem among dental practitioners and are known to affect their daily life. The present study was aimed to determine the frequency of musculoskeletal disorders among dental students and dentists at the Institute of Dentistry CMH Lahore Medical College, and the relationship of MSD with their quality of life and dental work. A self-reporting questionnaire was responded by 108 dental students [from first, third and fourth year] and 42 dentists [house officers and faculty members]. The questionnaire included questions regarding demographics, past musculoskeletal pain [MSP], the site, frequency and intensity of MSP, effects of MSP on the respondents' daily activities and whether they perceived their work in dental clinics as the cause of their pain. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Respondents included 109 females and 41 males. The mean age of the respondents was 22 years [SD +/- 3.05]. Majority of the respondents worked 16-30 hours per week. Musculoskeletal pain was reported by 74% dentists and 51% dental students [p=0.011]. The most common complaint was lower back [43%] followed by neck [32%] and shoulder [28%]. Medical treatment was sought by 41% of the respondents and 13% took sick leave. Daily activities were affected in 27% of the respondents with MSD. Quality of life was significantly more affected in dentists, and 64% of respondents perceived work in the dental clinic as the cause of their MSD