Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) represent an important occupational health issue in dentistry. Prolonged static postures, repetitive movements, excessive contraction of short muscles could cause musculoskeletal disorders. Even when the sitting posture is the one recommended by ISO, there is a high risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. Each member of the dental team is predisposed to pain or injury in different areas of the body, depending on their tasks and position in relation to the patient. MSD is prevalent world over and is one of the commonest causes of long-term pain and disability affecting hundreds of millions of people. This article shows the causes and the mechanisms that lead to musculoskeletal disorders and some methods for prevention.
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