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.

• Klíčová slova
• dentistry students, lower back pain, multivariate analysis, musculoskeletal disorders, neck pain, risk factors,
• MeSH
• bolest krku epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lumbalgie * epidemiologie   etiologie   MeSH
• muskuloskeletální nemoci * epidemiologie   MeSH
• nemoci z povolání * epidemiologie   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• studenti MeSH
• zubní lékařství MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) frequently occur among dental practitioners and present a significant occupational burden with an early onset in the dentists' career. This study aimed to analyze the five-year development of self-reported overall MSDs among the dentistry students during the course of their studies and to assess the possible influence of the risk as well as protective factors. The questionnaire inquiry was performed among the first-year dentistry students, regarding the occurrence of MSDs and the presence of potential risk and protective factors. The same students were followed, and they filled in the same questionnaire in the middle and at the end of their studies. A total of 73 dentistry students and 28 general medicine students participated. The occurrence of the overall MSDs statistically significantly increased from 30.1% at the beginning of the first year to 45.2% at the end of the fifth year among the dentistry students. The top-level sport was statistically significantly associated with the higher occurrence of MSDs in the fifth year and with the development of new MSDs between the first and the fifth year. This longitudinal prospective evaluation showed a significant increase in the MSDs occurrence among the dentistry students during their studies.

• Klíčová slova
• dental ergonomics, dentistry students, development, longitudinal prospective evaluation, musculoskeletal disorders, questionnaire, risk factors,
• MeSH
• ergonomie MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• muskuloskeletální nemoci * epidemiologie   MeSH
• nemoci z povolání * epidemiologie   MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• role odborníka MeSH
• zubní lékaři MeSH
• zubní lékařství MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The purpose of the study was to describe the occurrence of the most common complaints related to MSDs in Czech dentists and to assess the risk factors affecting them. A questionnaire survey of 581 Czech dentists (the response rate 72.6%) was conducted in 2011. The questionnaire ascertained general information about the respondents, their work habits and environment along with the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders. The respondents filled out the questionnaires during the educational events organized by the Czech Dental Chamber. At least mild difficulties associated with the motoric system were reported by 96.9% of the respondents, with 66.3% of respondents reporting moderate or major difficulties. Back and neck pain followed by shoulder pain and headache were the most common complaints in our sample. According to our data: age, gender, length of practice, a history of serious MSDs, the occurrence of MSDs in blood relatives, the perception of work as psychologically demanding, and especially a perceived moderate/bad general health were significantly associated with the four most common musculoskeletal complaints. Some of the factors were found as protective. This study suggests that MSDs represent a significant burden for Czech dentists and further research is needed to elucidate this issue.

• MeSH
• bolesti hlavy epidemiologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• muskuloskeletální bolest epidemiologie   MeSH
• muskuloskeletální nemoci epidemiologie   genetika   MeSH
• ochranné faktory MeSH
• pracovní zátěž psychologie   MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• sexuální faktory MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• zdravotní stav MeSH
• zpráva o sobě MeSH
• zubní lékaři statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH