Ergonomics is much more than choosing a comfortable office chair. In a dental practice, it can make all the difference for a healthy, happy team.
Print & Go GuidanceBy Susan Richards
It’s been more than 150 years since a Polish scientist coined the word ‘ergonomics’ when he wrote about the connection between the health of the worker and the labor itself. The concept didn’t gain notable attention until much later when World War II pilots complained about the dangerous inability to see their altimeters due to poor design.
These days, choosing the most comfortable office chair may not feel like a matter of life and death, but inefficient ergonomics in the dental practice can cause long-term health problems and even cut careers short before their time.
The Importance of Ergonomics
Standing desks and carpal tunnel syndrome get a lot of press, but ergonomics can include many components that contribute to one’s health and comfort on the job, including:
- Seating
- Tools
- Lighting
- Temperature
- Odors
- Mental stress
Studies have shown that 33% of all workplace injuries are due to ergonomic factors. In the dental office, these can be a result of outdated equipment, inadequate protocols, and repetitive motions, to name a few.
A common condition that leads to disability in the workplace is musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and it’s particularly prevalent among dentists. According to a 2019 study, 70% of the dental professionals surveyed experienced work-related MSD – mainly pain in the lower back and neck.
Additional signs and symptoms of MSDs are decreased range of motion or normal movement, excessive fatigue, and burning or numbness in the hands or arms.
Patients and Positioning
Fortunately for the dental team, patients are now often treated horizontally, making it much easier to work with less bending and twisting. Ergonomic experts suggest dental professionals sit when working and try to maintain an erect posture. It's further recommended to move the arms and not the back and ask the patient to move their head when able to limit bending and reaching.
Dental assistants should sit higher than the operator or dentist to have a good view of the oral cavity and avoid the need to lean forward, which will also decrease back strain.
The Work Process
Effective teamwork can ease risk factors for MSD on several fronts. By implementing four-handed dentistry, it’s easier for both clinicians to maintain their posture, reduce repetition, and work smoother and faster.
Ideally, the instruments are adjacent to the assistant, allowing the dentist to work without reaching or interrupting treatment. A synergistic workflow can be achieved with practice, reducing chair time, and improving the experience for everyone during procedures – including the patient!
A helpful scheduling suggestion is to alternate repetitive or intensive procedures with simpler ones to ease strain.
Proper Tools & Equipment
Advances in technology and design continue to make beneficial ergonomics in the dental practice more attainable. Some examples of tools or equipment that will help take the pressure off of backs, arms, and eyes are:
- Fully adjustable patient chairs
- Stools with lumbar support and tilting capabilities
- Saddle stools
- Magnifying loupes
- Mirrors
- Proper lighting
- Automatic instruments
- Hand instruments with rounded, ergonomic handles
- Surgical microscopes and endoscopes
The Whole Team
When making adjustments to your dental office ergonomics it’s critical to consider the whole team – and the whole person.
Dental hygienists are similarly prone to chronic pain without proper intervention. The California Department of Public Health partnered with the California Dental Hygienists’ Association to create a series of videos on ergonomics and dental hygiene.
Recent research has increasingly shown that prolonged periods of sitting can contribute to the same detrimental health risks posed by smoking and obesity. Therefore, the front desk team needs to not only have good chairs, lighting, and monitor placement but proactively take regular breaks from sitting and consider adding a walk to their daily regimen.
Workplace safety and comfort aren’t just about physical accommodations. The COVID-19 crisis meant additional PPE, staffing shortages, and other stressors that highlighted the awareness of the mental health and well-being of dental professionals. Likewise, work-related MSDs have been shown to exacerbate anxiety, lack of confidence, and overall job dissatisfaction.
In Conclusion
Since back pain and MSDs can begin to manifest as early as dental school, the key to avoiding long-term damage is prevention. Regular exercise, a healthy lifestyle, and adequate sleep can all help with stamina, while activities like swimming or yoga have been proven to help strengthen muscles and increase flexibility.
If a musculoskeletal disorder is suspected or diagnosed, it’s advisable to consult with a physician or physical therapist for the best course of treatment.
Ultimately, untreated MSDs can lead to missed work, loss of income, and even unplanned early retirement. By addressing and strengthening the ergonomics in the dental practice, you can improve the quality of life for the whole team and ensure a long, healthier career.
That’s something to sit up straight for and take notice of.
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Author: Susan Richards is a staff writer at DOCS Education. With over 20 years of experience in local journalism and business marketing, Susan’s career includes award-winning feature writing, as well as creating content with context for a wide variety of industries.
