Introduction Musculoskeletal disorders represent an important occupational health issue in Dentistry. Awkward postures as well as repetitive motion and the lack of ergonomic tools and workstation expose to a variety of musculoskeletal disorders affecting dentists’ quality of life. Therefore, ergonomic recommendations should be applied since the beginning of the university teaching and training.

Objectives The aims of our study were to assess the prevalence of upper limb MSDs among dental practitioners in the dental teaching clinic of Monastir and to identify the social, occupational, ergonomic, and psychosocial risk factors of their occurrence.

Methods It is a cross-sectional study, that interested 260 dental practitioners working in the hospital academic center of dentistry. It was based on a self-administered questionnaire exploring the socio-demographic, occupational and ergonomic data. It was completed by the standardized Nordic Questionnaire and Karasek one.

Results Ninety six percent (96.4%) of the participants reported upper limb MSDs including 95.2% with multifocal locations. The most common painful site was the elbow. The presence of upper limb MSDs was significantly correlated with a high number of patients under care (p=10–3), better social support (p=0.04), single status (p=0.03) and the position as a dental trainee (p=0.006). There is no significant difference in terms of upper limb MSD between subjects in a Job Strain situation and those who were not. Furthermore, no ergonomic determinants were found with the advent of upper limb MSDs.

Conclusion Upper limb MSDs risk among dental practitioners at the dental academic center of dentistry of Monastir is real and frequent. Prevention of this occupational issue should include ergonomic workshops in dental university course and awareness risk sessions. Prevention is obviously based on tools, movement, and space Ergonomics.