Ergnomics in the dental office

Making sure that you have proper posture and ergonomics is important in almost any job. Those who work at a desk have to worry about hunching over or whether their computer screens are at the right eye level. If not, they have to worry about back and neck problems and can be in quite a bit of pain on a daily basis. 

There are plenty of other jobs that also need to focus on the way they sit, stand or perform their duties. Warehouse workers need to be conscious of the way that they are lifting boxes or other heavy objects to avoid strain and injury. Dentists are no different. 

When you think about the job of a dentist, you probably aren’t thinking about the fact that it could be physically strenuous, but if you are a dentist, you probably know all too well what type of pain comes from having incorrect posture all day with your patients. You may need some ergonomic training for dentists. 

There are some ways that you can be sure that you are taking care of your body in order to prevent pain and injury. 

Posture

The first thing you want to be sure of is that you are maintaining an erect posture. This is something that your training for dentists likely taught you. Some dentists will have the tendency to lean forward or lean over the patient, but that can become tiring to your neck and back. You want to be sure that you are not bending and leaning, but keeping your body erect. 

Sitting

If you are a dentist, you may want to stand while you perform procedures, but it is actually much better for your skeletal system if you sit. This way you are not inclined to bend or twist your neck in order to see what you are doing. Of course, be sure that you are incorporating the posture we discussed earlier into your sitting to ensure there is no strain. 

Keep it close

Be sure that you are working closely to the patient. You may think that you should give them their space, but you want to prevent the need for you to overextend your back or arms. You don’t want to be leaning forward or extending your arms too far. Not only will this increase muscle fatigue, but can strain your back. 

Flat feet

When sitting on a stool you may be tempted to put your feet up on the rungs, but it is imperative that you keep your feet flat on the floor. You want to adjust your stool so that your feet are flat and your thighs slightly slope downward. A good comparison is thinking of yourself as a tripod. Your weight should be evenly distributed between your two feet and your seat pan. 

What to do with your hands

Using your tools and instruments may feel like a no brainer, but you want to be sure that you are taking care of them, too. The best thing to do is to hold your tools with your wrist in a neutral position. You don’t want to strain or twist them, which could end up hurting. Also, be sure not to grip your tools too tightly. Again, this can cause pain in your hands, wrist and arms. 

If you are a dentist that has questions or needs help when it comes to training for dentists in minimal sedation, contact us at Midwest Sedation Consultants today! We can answer any FAQ that you may have and can lead you through the process of certification or recertification!