Ali Lotfi, Maryam Daneshvar, Mehdi Vosoughi Niri, Parvin Ahmadinezhad, Soheila Derisavy Jorfian, Mohsen Poursadeghiyan,
Volume 14, Issue 2 (Iranian Journal of Ergonomics 2026)
* Contributed equally as the corresponding authors.
Objectives: Dentistry, a profession characterized by a static nature, repetitive movements, and occupational stress, is considered a high-risk occupation for the development of musculoskeletal disorders and reduced quality of life. The present research aimed to investigate the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and quality of life among dentists.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 on 150 practicing dentists in the city of Ardabil, Iran. The participants were selected through the convenience sampling method. Data were collected using standard questionnaires, including a demographic Information Questionnaire and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) for musculoskeletal disorders and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 26) with Chi-square.
Results: The most commonly affected areas were the lower back (64.7%) and neck (60.7%). Reduced professional activity due to these complaints was reported by 28.7% of participants. Overall quality of life was moderate to low, with the environmental health domain showing the lowest score (56.79 out of 100). The Chi-square test showed significant associations between quality of life and musculoskeletal complaints reported over the previous 12 months in the shoulder (p=0.003), elbow (p=0.001), and upper back (p=0.001). Similar significant associations were found for complaints reported over the previous 7 days in the shoulder (p=0.005), elbow (p=0.001), upper back (p=0.001), and lower back (p=0.001).Conclusion: Findings of the present study indicate a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and a moderate level of quality of life among dentists in Ardabil, Iran. Given the significant association observed, greater attention to the occupational health and working conditions of dentists appears to be necessary.
