title: The relationship between physical load and musculoskeletal complaints among Brazilian dentists.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between physical load and musculoskeletal complaints in dentistry and to analyze the prevalence and severity of such complaints in nine anatomical regions using a cross-sectional study of 387 dentists from Natal, Brazil. The highest prevalence of complaints was related to the lower back (58.4%) and the lowest prevalence was found in the elbow (10.3%). In general, symptoms were classified as mild because they did not cause absence due to illness. Pain complaints were associated with the following characteristics: awkward posture at work; prolonged standing or sitting; strenuous position of the upper limbs; excessive tightening of the hands during clinical treatment; and the use of vibrating tools. The results of the present study suggest a high prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in dentists that are significantly associated with variables related to their physical workload.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, Postgraduate Program in Public Health, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Avenue Salgado Filho 1787, Lagoa Nova, Natal 59056-000, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Electronic address: filipepersonal@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Filipe Fernandes
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Oliveira Dantas
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, Postgraduate Program in Public Health, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Avenue Salgado Filho 1787, Lagoa Nova, Natal 59056-000, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Electronic address: limke@uol.com.br.
authors.forename: Kenio Costa
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: de Lima
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000842:Ankle; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003813:Dentistry; D004550:Elbow; D005260:Female; D006615:Hip; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011187:Posture; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014732:Vibration; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology; D016526:Workload
keywords: Cumulative trauma disorders; Dentistry; Workload