RESUMO
The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in dentists is high although relatively few studies have been conducted in this profession. This study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms [MSDs] and to assess the risk of these symptoms among general dentists in Shiraz, Iran. In this descriptive cross-sectional study the Nordic standard questionnaire and questionnaire pertaining to questions about personal and job characteristics were administered to160 general dentists. Furthermore, the pictures of dentists were taken by camera during dental treatment and the most repetitive postures were selected and assessed by Rapid Upper Limb Assessment [RULA] method. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 16.0 software. A large number of dentists [139 subjects] reported MSDs symptoms in at least one region of their musculoskeletal systems during the past 12 months. The most prevalent MSDs symptoms were neck [105 subjects], shoulders [80 subjects], upper back [76 subjects], wrist/hand [63 subjects], and lower back [55 subjects], respectively. A significant difference was observed between men and women only in the wrist/hand [P>0.05]. The results of posture analysis showed that all dentists' postures fell into corrective second and third action levels. The results of this study revealed that the prevalence of MSDs symptoms in dentists was high and MSDs risk levels were intermediate to high. Therefore, it is recommended that in an appropriate training program be contemplated to improve dentists' awareness regarding MSDs symptoms