Risk assessment of ergonomic disorders and Burnout syndrome in dental students

Main Article Content

Kevin Navarrete-Ganchozo
Andrea Cecilia Bermúdez-Velásquez

Abstract

Introduction: Ergonomic disorders and the Burnout syndrome, faced by the dentist, are a health problem, due to their magnitude and prevalence. Studies reporting on these disorders in dental students are scarce.


Objective: To determine the prevalence of the most common ergonomic disorders and the Burnout syndrome associated with the clinical practice of dental students.


Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 110 dentistry students filled out a virtual survey containing items from the Kuorinka questionnaire (symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders), the REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) to analyze the positions of the whole body, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to measure the level of emotional exhaustion and determine if the Burnout Syndrome is present or not.


Results: Of the total number of respondents, 90.74% answered affirmatively that they had discomfort or musculoskeletal pain during their dental practices, being > 70% located in the dorsal/lumbar or neck area. Using the REBA, it was determined that 55.10% obtained a score corresponding to a high risk level of ergonomic mal-positions. Through the MBI it was found that 23.47% of the students had scores compatible with emotional exhaustion, 41.84% with depersonalization and 6.12% with personal fulfillment, aspects of the Burnout Syndrome. Oral surgery and periodontic were the 2 dental procedures of clinical practice most associated with hand fatigue (35.71% each).


Conclusion: The prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort was high in the students, with a high risk of developing ergonomic problems. Regarding emotional health, a quarter of students presented emotional exhaustion.

Article Details

How to Cite
1.
Navarrete-Ganchozo K, Bermúdez-Velásquez AC. Risk assessment of ergonomic disorders and Burnout syndrome in dental students. Rev. Med. UCSG [Internet]. 2023 Jul. 3 [cited 2024 Nov. 22];24(2):15-20. Available from: https://editorial.ucsg.edu.ec/ojs-medicina/index.php/ucsg-medicina/article/view/1220
Section
Artículos de Investigación

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