Neck, back, and shoulder pains and ergonomic factors among dental students.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic and static activities in dentistry cause musculoskeletal disorders, but dental students do not have sufficient awareness about the effects of ergonomic factors on their health. The aim of this study was to investigate ergonomic factors that cause pain muscle in dental students in Kerman Medical University, Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis study was carried out on dental students of the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th year, in clinical practice in the School of Dentistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences. A convenient sample of 199 students who met the inclusion criteria was selected and those willing to participate signed an informed consent form. Data were collected by means of a structured questionnaire for ergonomic factors and the presence of pain. The variables evaluated were pain, affected zones, gender, postures, and work environment. RESULTS: The present research work reveals that over 69% of the dental students complained of pain in at least one part of their body. Most individuals suffered from hand and elbow (23%) and head (19%) pain. The clinical areas where more pain was found were endodontics and pedodontics. Furthermore, it was found that a high percentage of students usually worked with their legs slightly separated, with the sole of the feet resting on the stool when working. The presence of muscular pain was higher in males in this study. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant relationship with the final Rapid Entire Body Assessment score in different body parts and the participants' demographic data (sex, age, weight, height, sports, and smoking). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the students' sitting positions and working environments need to be improved and it seems more training is necessary in this field.

Telescopic Dental Needles versus Conventional Dental Needles: Comparison of Pain and Anxiety in Adult Dental Patients of Kerman University of Medical Sciences-A Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Pain felt during dental injections is dependent on dental anxiety. Patients feel increased pain if anxiety in the treatment environment is high, and therefore it is important to reduce anxiety during treatment to reduce pain. The purpose of this study was to compare pain and anxiety levels experienced during injections using a newly invented telescopic-coated dental needle that covers the conventional needle and also has the capability of applying topical anesthesia through its unique design with the conventional dental injection needle. METHODS: Dental injection anxiety questionnaires were completed by 60 adult patients who were randomly assigned to either the telescopic (a newly invented telescopic-coated dental needle that covers the needles) or the conventional group. Patients also completed visual analog scales to rate their pain perception during injection, their overall experience, and their future anticipated anxiety. Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, and Student t tests were used for statistical analysis. Statistical significance was defined as P < .05. RESULTS: A total of 25 men and 35 women with an age range of 19-55 years (mean age of 38.7 ± 2.31 years) participated in this study. Pain levels reported during the injection using the telescopic-coated needle (4.13 ± 1.37) were significantly lower than those using the conventional needle (5.63 ± 1.57), with statistically significant differences between the 2 groups (P < .05). Patients experienced significantly lower overall postinjection anxiety (P < .05) and had more positive overall experience ratings with the telescopic-coated needles. CONCLUSIONS: A new telescopic-coated dental needle was superior to a conventional injection system in pain perception and in reducing postinjection dental anxiety.

Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Against Chemotherapy-induced Mucositis: A Double-blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This double-blind randomized clinical trial evaluates the ef cacy and route of administration of omega-3 fatty acids for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in patients undergoing che- motherapy in Iranian hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients developing World Health Organization (WHO) grade 1 oral mucositis were randomized to the omega-3 fatty acid (n=30) or placebo (n=30) group. Mucositis was assessed according to the WHO, Western Consortium for Cancer Nursing Research, and Oral Mucositis Weekly Questionnaire cri- teria at baseline and rst, second, and third weeks of chemotherapy un- til mucositis resolved. RESULTS: Differences in the severity of mucositis between the omega-3 and placebo groups in the rst, second, and third weeks of treatment based on the WHO criteria were noted. This study showed that patients in the omega-3 group experienced less pain during the rst, second, and third weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Omega-3 fatty acids are a safe, effective method for preventing and treating oral mucositis in patients receiving mucotoxic cancer chemotherapy.