prevalence and ergonomic awareness of musculoskeletal disorders among malaysian dental students

Musculoskeletal disorders (msds) pose a significant occupational health challenge in dentistry, potentially affecting the health of future dental professionals. this study aimed to assess the prevalence of msds among dental students of universiti sains malaysia (usm) and to explore the relationships between msd occurrence, demographic factors (academic year, gender, and physical activity levels), and ergonomic awareness. fifty-five dental students participated in the study, responding to validated electronic questionnaires. the results showed a high prevalence of msds, especially over 12 months (41.8%) vs. 7 days (14.5%). most affected areas were the lower back (74.5%), neck (70.9%), shoulders (60.0%), and upper back (54.5%). female students showed higher prevalence in some regions (p = 0.032), with year 5 students reporting the highest prevalence (p = 0.046). ergonomic awareness was high, with 52.7% rating it as good and 47.3% as excellent. these findings highlight the need to integrate thorough ergonomic education and preventive measures into dental curricula, aiming to promote musculoskeletal health and reduce occupational risks for dental students, thereby supporting long-term occupational well-being in their future careers.