Abstract

SANTOS, Renata Laís Xavier; SILVA JUNIOR, Edmilson Zacarias da; ANDRADE, Richard Alonso Ribeiro de  and  ANDRADE, Emanuel Sávio de Souza. Repetitive strain injury (RSI/WMSD) in Pernambuco's dentists. Odontol. Clín.-Cient. (Online) [online]. 2013, vol.12, n.3, pp. 277-287. ISSN 1677-3888.

RSI / WMSD (Repetitive Strain Injury / Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders) represent work-related pathologies characterized by repetitive strain that affects muscle groups during professional exercise. Dentists are included among professional classes affected by these pathologies, in exercising their activities, they perform many repetitive movements, resulting in mechanical compression of structures in the upper region and adjacent structures, aggravated by poor posture and, in most cases, work against the pressure / time yield. This cross-sectional study aimed, through the analysis of 44 surveys, to evaluate the occurrence of RSI / WMSD in dentists of Pernambuco's Military Police Dental Clinic. The results showed that the majority (84.1%) claimed to feel some bone pain, and the most cited areas were: back, neck, hand and shoulder, causing therefore the need of absenteeism by 37.2% of the participants; the need to use some type of medication for pain relief (37.8%) and 62.2% had been subjected to a treatment for musculoskeletal pain. The results of the present study highlights the need of awareness and guidance of professionals for the prevention of RSI / WMSDs establishing measures and methods that help to maintain their physical, mental and psychosocial well-being.

Keywords : Repetitive strain injury; Work-related musculoskeletal disorder; Dentists; RSI / WMSD..