Practising sports among dentists in Bulgaria

What is it about?

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are one of the main occupational risk factors for dentists. They are associated with factors such as gender, age, length of service, lifestyle, working ergonomic conditions, sport activity etc.The aim of this study is to determine the spread of practicing sports among dentists in Bulgaria and the impact of some factors (gender, length of service, weekly and daily workload, and health self-assessment) on it.Methodology: The study was conducted by an anonymous survey of 1300 dentists in Bulgaria. The response rate of the survey was 53.84% - 700 questionnaire forms were returned back. The results are processed using statistical analyses – descriptive, graphical, alternative and Ӽ2.Results: The results of our study reveal that a tiny fraction of dentists practiced some sport regularly (12,63%), the most active being those having 11-20 years length of service, while males are a bit more active than females. Practicing sports increases with the increase of the weekly and daily workload and drops with the decrease in own health self-assessment. With the increase of pain, caused by Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSD), practicing sports goes down, the most active remaining those presenting the most recent episodes of pain (for weeks) – 85.7% and moderate intensity.Conclusion: A very small number of dentists practice sports regularly (12.63%). The most active is the group of 11-20 years length of service, men being a bit more active than women. Practicing sports drops down with the decrease in health self-assessment. Practicing sports decreases with the pain intensity increase, the most active being those presenting the most recent episodes of pain (for weeks) – 85.7% and moderate intensity.Keywords: musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), sport activity, health self-assessment, daily and weekly workload.

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