KUMJ | VOL. 10 | NO. 2 | ISSUE 38 | APR-JUN, 2012
Association Between Selected Socio Demographic Variables and Musculoskeletal Symptoms Experienced By Dentists in a Southern Karnataka District
Shaik AR, Sripathi Rao BH, Husain A, D’Sa JL
Abstract: Background
The majority of working dentists experience some type of musculoskeletal discomfort
during the course of their professional career. The prevalence and location of
musculoskeletal symptoms are influenced by work habits, postures adopted by dentists
while performing their professional work and socio demographic variables.
Objectives
The current study was carried out to find the association between musculoskeletal
symptoms experienced by dentists and selected socio demographic variables in a
southern Karnataka district.
Methods
For this study 300 dentists were selected by using convenience sampling method
among post graduate dental students, faculty members and private practitioners with
more than one year of experience from in and around Mangalore city. In order to
find the association, a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire - Musculoskeletal
Disorder Rating Scale was used
Results
The study showed that there was statistically significant association between frequency
of pain and average patient(s) treated per day. The association between intensity of
pain and average patient(s) treated per day was highly significant. Further there was
a significant association between intensity of pain and field of dental practice. With
regard to the field of dental practice, frequency of stiffness was significantly associated
with the age. The association between frequency of stiffness and no. of year(s) in
profession was highly significant.
Conclusion
The study revealed a significant association between musculoskeletal symptoms
experienced by the dentists and socio demographic variables like; age, field of dental
practice, no. of years in profession and average patients treated per day.
Keyword : Dentists, musculoskeletal symptoms
