Introduction. Working in dental practice requires clear working field and easy access to all parts of oral cavity. For this reason, dentists often take non-physiological positions during treatment increasing the risk for musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in dentists with different work experience in Novi Sad. Material and Methods. The study included 89 dentists. Data related to musculoskeletal disorders was collected using a questionnaire. Potential risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders were detected and analyzed. Results. Out of 89 dentists, 32 (36%) were male and 57 (64%) were female. Musculoskeletal disorders were detected in 62 dentists (69.7%). 50% of dentists reported pain during first three years of work in the office, while others noted these problems later. 49 dentists (77.8%) reported increasing pain during the day. Of the total respondents, 76.2% had pain in neck, 71.4% reported discomfort in the upper part of their back, 68.3% in the region of shoulder, and 65.1% complained for pain in lower back. Lower prevalence of pain was found in the region of wrists and hands, hips, knees, ankles and elbows. Statistical analysis did not show significant difference between observed risk factors. Conclusion. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in examined dentists in Novi Sad was 69.7%. It was higher in male compared to female respondents. Most dentists had musculoskeletal disturbances in the region of neck, shoulders and upper back

Background/Aim. Excessive consumption of acidic dietary substances, such as carbonated beverages, increased the chances of dental erosion. The aim of this study was to determine influence of carbonated beverages on enamel and dentin, during different intervals. Methods. Sixty samples were obtained from fifteen impacted third molars. Tooth crown was divided into four parts. One part was a control sample, immersed in destilled water and other three parts were the experimental samples, stored in the following tested beverages: carbonated water, Coca-Cola and Schweppes Bitter Lemon. For each beverage, pH was measured before immersion of the samples. The first group of twenty samples were analysed and photographed, using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), after 60 minutes, the second group after 24 hours and the third group after 7 days of exposure to drinks. The enamel was analysed on the outer surface of the cusps and longitudinal section. Dentin was analysed on longitudinal section. An individually adopted scale was used for determination of the degree of erosive changes of these dental tissues. The data were analysed using the analysis of varance (ANOVA). Results. The pH levels of the tested beverages was bellow the critical pH for enamel demineralisation. The SEM images showed different intensity of erosive changes caused by the tested beverages. The analysis by ANOVA revealed a significant difference between all groups of the treated samples, after 60 minutes of exposure to beverages. The highest values of erosive changes showed the samples that were immersed in Schweppes Bitter Lemon. The analysis of the samples after 24 hours and 7 days showed that the samples immersed in Coca-Cola and Schweppes Bitter Lemon can be classified as one group that was statistically significantly different compared with the control samples and samples immersed in carbonated water. Conclusion. Prolonged exposure of dental tissue to carbonated beverages cause erosive changes and a loss of surface profile. Z, et al. Vojnosanit Pregl 2019; 76(4): 422-430. topljeni u Schweppes Bitter Lemon. Analiza uzoraka nakon 24 sata i sedam dana izloženosti delovanju napitaka pokazala je da uzorci potopljeni u Coca-Cola-u i Schweppes Bitter Lemon mogu biti svrstani u jednu grupu koja je statistički značajno različita u odnosu na kontrolne uzorke i uzorke potopljene u gaziranu vodu. Zaključak. Povećano izlaganje zubnih tkiva delovanju gaziranih napitaka uzrokuje erozivne promene i gubitak površinske strukture. Apstrakt Panić

Applying VAS in the evaluation of acute and chronic pain can indicate progression or regression of pathological state under clinical conditions. This study showed that VAS, as a method for follow-up of pathological state, is more applicable and efficient when applied in chronic pain evaluation.