Journal article
Sex and academic stage differences in work-related musculoskeletal disorders pain among dental students. A cross-center cross-sectional study
Cranio, Vol.44(1), pp.97-113
01/02/2026
DOI: 10.1080/08869634.2025.2451272
PMID: 39812368
Abstract
Dental professionals are highly vulnerable to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD). As females, who are more prone to WMSD, represent a growing proportion of the dental workforce, this study explored sex differences in WMSD-pain prevalence among dental students, and differentiated it between preclinical and clinical students.
A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted among dental students at three U.S. dental schools. An anonymous survey assessed prevalence of WMSD pain over the last 12 months and 7 days using the Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire. Sex and academic stage differences were analyzed with independent t-tests and chi-square, adjusted for demographics and occupational habits (working hours, self-reported ergonomics, loupes, sport engagement) with ANCOVA.
Among 175 students (26.6±3.6 years, 66.9% females), 93.7% and 57.7% reported WMSD-pain in the past 12 months and 7 days, respectively. Females scored higher than males in pain intensity (
=.025), WMSD-pain prevalence in the past 7 days (
=.006), and number of painful body sites in the past 12 months (
=.006) and 7 days (
<.001). Clinical students had higher WMSD-pain prevalence (
<.001) and number of painful body sites (
<.001) in the past 7 days than preclinical students. Differences remained significant only among females.
A high prevalence of WMSD-pain was evident in dental students, with significant sex and academic stage differences.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Sex and academic stage differences in work-related musculoskeletal disorders pain among dental students. A cross-center cross-sectional study
- Creators
- Linda Sangalli - Midwestern UniversityElla West-Pelak - Midwestern UniversityLisa Knecht-Sabres - Midwestern UniversityFernanda Yanez-Regonesi - University of KentuckyNikkita Madhu - University of IowaMelisa Alabsy - Midwestern UniversityDivya Kohli - Nova Southeastern UniversityAnna Alessandri-Bonetti - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Cranio, Vol.44(1), pp.97-113
- DOI
- 10.1080/08869634.2025.2451272
- PMID
- 39812368
- NLM abbreviation
- Cranio
- ISSN
- 2151-0903
- eISSN
- 2151-0903
- Publisher
- TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 01/15/2025
- Date published
- 01/02/2026
- Academic Unit
- Prosthodontics
- Record Identifier
- 9984773412902771
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