Postural and Muscle Fatigue Analysis of Endodontic Residents

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a significant occupational health problem for dentists and have been linked to a decline in quality of life, often leading to stress-related illnesses and early retirement. Poor posture, poor movement or imbalances in the neck or shoulders can lead to the three most common pain syndromes in dentistry. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the working position adopted during an endodontic procedure and to determine the perception of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders in first and second year students of the Master in Advanced Endodontics at the European University of Madrid (UEM), using the standardised Nordic Kuorinka questionnaire supplemented by a form with socio-demographic variables. This study has a descriptive cross-sectional observational design and included 10 students selected by convenience sampling. A video camera was used to record the procedures from three different angles for a maximum of 5 minutes. The information was processed using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software, and the video recordings were assessed using Rodgers' Muscular Fatigue Analysis (RMFA) and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA).