Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Haseki Tip Bulteni, cilt.63, sa.2, ss.89-97, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
Aim: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders caused by non-ergonomic work practices in dentistry is notably high. Alarmingly, these symptoms can manifest even in students who have not yet begun clinical practice. This study aims to assess the ergonomic awareness and knowledge of occupational diseases among preclinical dental students and to raise awareness before they enter their professional careers. Methods: The cross-sectional prospective survey study included 447 students who were in the preclinical period in 2023-2024. A structured questionnaire was administered, consisting of sections pertaining to demographic information, health status, habits, awareness, risk factors, and clinical symptoms. Results: Evaluation of awareness factors revealed that 56.2% of participants demonstrated an awareness rate exceeding 50%. Furthermore, awareness levels increased significantly from the first to the third year of study (p<0.001). No statistically significant difference was observed for awareness and risk factors in terms of gender. Conclusion: The findings indicate that preclinical dental students have insufficient awareness of ergonomic risks and occupational diseases. Integrating ergonomic knowledge into the early stages of dental education could enhance self-awareness, help prevent occupational disorders, and support the long-term ability of dentists to sustain their professional practice.