Musculoskeletal symptoms of dentists from south-east turkey

Abstract

This study describes the prevelance and distribution of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders occurring in South East of Turkey's dentists and investigates the relationship between these symptoms and work practices. 350 members of the Tukish Dental Association (Diyarbakır, Van, Branch), were randomly selected and sent questionnaires. 71.4 per cent (n=120) responded. The self-administered questionnaire comprised 18 questions and sought information about the recipient's practise of dentistry and musculoskeletal symptoms which they had experienced in the month preceeding receipt of the questionnaire. The Chi-squared (χ2) tests, Analysis of Variance and Duncan's Multiple Range Tests were used in the statistical analysis. A probably level of p<0.05 was accepted as statistically significiant. The findings from the present study clearly indicate that the most common symptoms were, 30.95 per cent (n=65) reported foot-leg pain and 29.05 per cent (n=61) of the group reported the presence of headache. There were significiantly association with identify the trunk pain and the symptoms and musculoskeletal disorders (χ2 16df, p=0.000). Body length (p=.05) and body weigh (p=.01) show clear association with musculoskeletal symptoms. © 2007 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.