title: "Musculoskeletal problem": Its prevalence among Iranian dentists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Musculoskeletal problems (MSPs) are a major complication for practitioners in the field of dentistry. The present study is designed to define the prevalence of MSPs among Iranian dentists.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional survey conducted on 600 dentists. The questions were about demographic characteristics, headache, and physical problems of different parts of the body. Data were analyzed using logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all dentists studied, 67.5% had physical problems. These MSPs were observed in neck (51.87%), wrist (92.96%), waist (11.11%), and shoulder (7.40%) of the practitioners. Some practitioners took leave of absence (18.52%), while others (7.40%) underwent medical care. There was a direct correlation between age (P = 0.0001), high body mass index (BMI; P = 0.021), total number of daily under-care patients (P = 0.002), and little physical activity (P = 0.0001) with MSPs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of MSPs is very high among dentists. Awareness about preventive care is necessary for dentists. The dental curriculum also should address ergonomic issues for dental educators.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Nokhostin
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: A Hamid
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Zafarmand
keywords: Dental profession; dental education; dentist; ergonomics; musculoskeletal problems