Effectiveness of Workplace-Based Muscle Resistance Training Exercise Program in Preventing Musculoskeletal Dysfunction of the Upper Limbs in Manufacturing Workers.

Aims Given the high levels of absenteeism due to musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limbs, there is a need for preventive strategies to protect workers exposed to high risk levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a workplace-based muscle resistance training exercise program in the presence of pain and musculoskeletal dysfunction of the upper extremities in manufacturing workers exposed to repetitive movements and excessive effort in the workplace. Method Randomized controlled trial in manufacturing workers. A sample of 120 healthy workers was allocated at random to an experimental group, which received a resistance-based exercise program, and a control group, which performed stretching exercises. Results The muscle resistance training exercise had a protective effect on the intensity of pain perceived by workers in their upper limbs (RR: 0.62 95% CI 0.44-0.87) compared with the group of workers who performed stretching exercises. Conclusion A workplace-based muscle resistance training exercise program is an effective preventive strategy in factory workers exposed to risk; however, it is necessary for companies initially to adopt mechanisms to minimize exposure as a prevention strategy.

Hábitos de higiene oral en estudiantes de odontología de la Universidad de Chile / Oral health habits in dental students at the University of Chile

Los estudiantes de odontología son agentes involucrados en la educación de los cuidados bucodentales. No se han publicado estudios nacionales que describan sus hábitos de higiene oral. Objetivo: Describir la proporción de estudiantes de odontología de la Universidad de Chile con hábitos de higiene oral saludables según sexo, nivel socioeconómico y años de estudios. Material y método: Estudio transversal descriptivo. Se seleccionaron, por muestreo aleatario simple con afijación proporcional 150 estudiantes entre 1er- 4to año. Se aplicó un cuestionario sobre hábitos de higiene oral, que incluía uso y frecuencia de cepillado, seda dental y enjuagatorio bucal, tiempo transcurrido desde la última visita al dentista y variables sociodemográficas. Se construyó un índice Hábitos de Higiene Oral que incluía cepillado por lo menos dos veces al día, uso de seda dental diariamente y visita al dentista por lo menos una vez por año. Resultados: Un 98 por ciento se cepillaba los dientes por lo menos dos veces al día, 37 por ciento usaba seda dental diariamente y 74 por ciento había acudido al dentista por lo menos una vez en el último año. Sólo un 30 por ciento presentó un resultado positivo para el índice Hábitos de Higiene Oral. No se detectaron diferencias significativas según sexo, nivel socioeconómico y años de estudios. Conclusiones: Los estudiantes de odontología de la Universidad de Chile presentan alta frecuencia de cepillado dental y consultan frecuentemente al dentista, sin embargo, el uso de seda dental es bajo. Estudios futuros deberían analizar otras variables involucradas en un mejor cuidado de la salud bucal en este grupo.

Dental students are agents involved in the education of oral care. There are no published studies that describe their oral hygiene habits in Chile. Objective: To describe the proportion of dental students at the University of Chile with healthy oral hygiene habits by sex, socioeconomic status and years of study. Material and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study on 150 students from 1st-4th year of dentistry studies were selected by simple sampling with proportional allocation. A questionnaire on oral hygiene habits that included questions about the use and frequency of brushing and flossing, mouthwashes use, time since the last dental visit and sociodemographic variables were used. An index about oral hygiene was constructed including brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day and visiting your dentist at least once a year. Results: About 98 percent of students brushing teeth at least twice daily, 37 percent used dental floss daily and 74 percent had visited the dentist at least once in the past year. Only 30 percent of students had a positive outcome for the oral hygiene index. No significant differences by gender, socioeconomic status and years of study were observed. Conclusions: Dental students at the University of Chile show high frequency of tooth brushing and frequently visit to the dentist, however, flossing is low. Future studies should also analyze other variables involved in better oral health care in this group.