Determinación del riesgo y la presencia de dolor musculoesquelético en relación a los trastornos músculo esqueléticos, durante el trabajo clínico de estudiantes de pregrado de 5to año de odontología de la Universidad Finis Terrae

Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are related to dental work, and are a main risk factor for dentist’s health. It has been shown that the prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases and pain in dentists ranges between 64 and 93%. Objective: To determine the predisposing risk of causing TME and the presence of musculoskeletal pain due to the postures adopted during the clinical work of “Clinic for the elderly and senescent II” of 5th year dentistry students. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in a population of 24 5th year students of the dental school at the Finis Terrae University in 2023. They answered the Kuorinka Nordic Questionnaire to characterize musculoskeletal pain and the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method, taking photographs during clinical care to measure the level of risk of suffering from MSDs and evaluate their relationship. Results: From a universe of 30 students, 24 participated, 75% women and 25% men. 66.7% of the students had a high risk of suffering musculoskeletal injuries due to inadequate postures, 16.7% a very high risk and 16.7% a medium risk; No relevant differences according to sex were evident. 95.8% of the students presented musculoskeletal discomfort, 79.2% in the Dorsal/lumbar region, 75% in the Neck region and 62.5% in the Hand/wrist region. Discussions and conclusions: Despite presenting high risk levels in the population and painful symptoms, there was no mostly more intense or lasting pain, coinciding with other international studies.