BACKGROUND: There are many studies discussed about musculoskeletal
disorders in dentists, but most of them do not have a control group.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess neck and upper limb
symptoms in male dentists in comparison with pharmacists.
METHODS: In this cross-sectionalstudy, 252 male general dentists
compared with 188 male general pharmacists with Standardized Nordic
Questionnaire. Subjects were at least one year in clinical practice after
becoming qualified. The data were analyzed using a series of univariate and
multivariate analysis.
RESULTS: Having at least one neck or upper extremity symptom in the
past 12 months (OR = 3.2, P< 0.001) was reported by 76.2% of the male
dentists and 50.0% of the male pharmacists In logistic regression
analyses, with adjustments for occupation, age, body mass index, smoking,
working years and weekly work hours, there was a significant association
between dentistry and 12-month period prevalence symptoms of neck
(OR = 2.136), shoulder (OR = 2.059) and elbow (OR = 4.167). Second logistic
regression model in male dentists indicated that working years was
negatively related to self-reported symptoms of neck, shoulder and hand.
CONCLUSIONS: Male dentists are at risk of developing
musculoskeletal disorders in the neck and upper extremities more than male
pharmacists.
