Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent a significant occupational burden for dentists and dentistry students. This study aimed to assess the five-year development of most common musculoskeletal complaints among dentistry students during the whole length of their studies and to analyze the impact of some potentially associated risk factors. A longitudinal questionnaire survey regarding the occurrence of MSDs was conducted among a total of 73 dentistry students between 2014 and 2021. The same students enrolled in three consecutive years were monitored throughout their entire studies. Statistical analysis was performed using methods of descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, McNemar test, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The most frequent areas of complaints were neck (61.6%) and lower back (49.3%). The increase in self-reported complaints between the first and the fifth year was statistically significant for neck pain (increase by 15%, p = 0.043) but not for lower back pain (by 6.8%, p = 0.44). According to our data, age, performing top-level sport, and participating in regular sporting activities had a statistically significant influence on neck and/or back pain. The results of this longitudinal prospective study showed that neck, as well as lower back pain, are significant problems for dentistry students.

Department of Dentistry Charles University Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové University Hospital Hradec Králové 500 05 Hradec Králové Czech Republic

Department of Medical Biophysics Charles University Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové 500 03 Hradec Králové Czech Republic

Department of Preventive Medicine Charles University Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové 500 03 Hradec Králové Czech Republic

Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Charles University 2nd Faculty of Medicine University Hospital Motol 150 06 Prague Czech Republic

Institute of Sports Medicine 150 00 Prague Czech Republic

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