Lesões músculo-esqueléticas e níveis de stress e ansiedade nos estudantes da Faculdade de Medicina Dentária da Universidade Católica Portuguesa

Abstract

Introduction: Dentistry is recognized as a high-risk profession for the develop-ment of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to the adoption of prolonged static postures. Factors such as constant stress and anxiety also contribute to the development of these injuries. The objective of this study is to evaluate the incidence of MSDs, as well as the levels of anxiety, depression, and stress among the dental students at the Faculty of Dental Medicine of Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Materials and Methods: The study sample consists of 284 students from the Integrated Master's Degree in Dental Medicine (IMDM), recruited through direct and random approach. After the study was approved by the Ethics Committee for Health of Universidade Católica Portuguesa (CES-UCP), each participant freely and informedly responded to the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using IBM® SPSS Statistics software with a signifi-cance threshold of 0.05. Results: Most students (77.8%) reported pain in some anatomical region in the past 12 months, with a higher incidence among females. The most affected re-gions were the lower back and neck. Fourth-year students showed the highest prevalence of MSD symptoms. Regarding mental health, 32% of the students showed signs of depression, 39% signs of anxiety, and 34% showed stress. It was found that students with higher levels of anxiety and/or stress also reported more musculoskeletal pain compared to students with lower levels of anxiety and/or stress, and this difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: It is concluded that it is essential to implement strategies for the prevention and management of MSDs, as well as issues affecting mental health during the training of dental students.

Date of Award	24 Jul 2024
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Vanessa Maria Barroso dos Santos Silva (Supervisor) & Patrícia Fonseca (Co-Supervisor)