Awareness of ergonomics & work-related musculoskeletal disorders among dental professionals and students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

[Purpose] The present research was undertaken to investigate the awareness of ergonomics and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among dental professionals and students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and to find a mean to decrease the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the future. [Subjects and Methods] A self-administered survey was prepared and disseminated to dental professionals and students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was focused on the awareness of ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders. Five hundred and sixty-one participants were included in this survey. [Results] Within the present study, significant differences were noticed among specialists, general practitioners and undergraduate students. Work load (risk factors) had great influence on musculoskeletal disorders in all dental practitioners, and lower back pain was the most common reported disorder among all practitioners. [Conclusion] Most of the respondent dentists seem to work in conditions that aggravate disorders of the musculoskeletal system, the increased prophylactic remedies were directly associated with the increase of the musculoskeletal disorders symptoms. All dentists regardless of their dental specialties, are recommended to apply principles of ergonomics in their daily practice. Moreover, dental ergonomics should be taught to undergraduate students and strictly implemented in the clinics to provide comfortable working environment for all dental professionals.