Dental Ergonomics: A Guide to Boost Productivity & Reduce Injuries

If you are a dental professional who is striving to reach new levels in the private practice or  busy running a thriving business, dental ergonomics often takes the backseat. This article is meant to remind you of the significance of ergonomics in enhancing productivity and preventing chronic injuries and discomfort. It will also talk about the ways in which you can optimize your workplace to boost productivity without compromising your well-being.

What is dental ergonomics?

According to The International Ergonomics Association (IEA) ergonomics is defined as “the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of the interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theoretical principles, data and methods to design, in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.”(1)

The word ergonomics is derived from two Greek words namely ‘ergon’ which means work and ‘nomos’ which means laws or principles.

Dental ergonomics aims at optimizing the practice environment in such a way that there is minimal physical strain and discomfort for the dental practitioner, Another important goal is to ensure the longevity of dental professionals’ careers by preventing work-related injuries.

Why is ergonomics important in dentistry?

As dentists, you may be spending long hours working on your patients. If your workstations, operating chairs, or other equipment are not ergonomically compatible, they may wreak havoc on your body, especially your back, neck, wrist, and fingers. Apart from irreversible physical damage, poor posture may lead to a decline in the quality of treatments you offer your patients. Therefore, ergonomics is critical in dentistry because it not only safeguards the health and comfort of dental professionals but also directly impacts the quality of patient care and productivity of dental practices. 

Ergonomic considerations in clear aligner therapy

Risk factors 

The factors that increase the risk of injury or irreversible damage in dental professionals are:

1. Force application: Even though your work as a dentist involves fine-tuned skills, you have to perform tasks that involve force application like pushing, pulling, gripping, pinching, or lifting. When simple tasks like ultrasonic scaling put some force on your fingers and hands, you end up having a strain on your body.

2. Repeated movements: A movement is called repetitive when it is carried out every few seconds or the movement is repeated by the same part of the body more than twice in a minute for two hours. Dentists are continually exposed to repetitive movements of fingers and wrist due to which they are prone to develop health problems like: (2)

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Trigger finger
• Cubital tunnel syndrome.

3. Excessive vibration: It is very difficult for a dentist to not get exposed to vibration for less than two hours a day. Almost all the treatment procedures involve some or the other form of vibration. Excessive vibration poses the risk of developing a condition called hand-arm vibration syndrome which is characterized by finger numbness and weakness of the arm.
4. Poor posture: Although the side effects of poor posture do not surface during the initial years of practice. But gradually, as you age, your neck and spine will show signs of rigidity due to a hunched-over posture. Keeping yourself in awkward positions for short or long durations throughout the day will take a toll on your body. Lower back pain is one of the many different ways in which side effects of poor posture manifest themselves. Whether you are trying to view the patient’s mouth or teeth in the best possible way or reaching out for instruments, always ensure you maintain the right posture.

The role of posture and its importance

Unlike other body parts, our oral cavity is a narrow and dark space that is quite difficult to access and view. For better vision and accessibility, dentists tend to bend or strain their back and neck that may leave them with injuries. 

To prevent repetitive strain injuries and serious physical damage, it is essential to follow and maintain ergonomic principles in your practice. By doing so, you will not be at the risk of compromising your health and, in the long run, your career while executing dental treatment procedures.

Common postural misalignments

The most common postural misalignments are as follows:

1. Forward head posture- Leaning too much over the patient or protruding your head forward can put undue strain on the neck and upper back muscles.
2. Hunched shoulders - Rounding your shoulders can also lead to poor posture. 
3. Sitting for long hours without breaks - If you are seated in the same position for long hours without taking short breaks in the middle, you may develop musculoskeletal issues. If you are sitting in an uncomfortable posture, the damage is more profound. Sitting for extended periods can cause hip and knee discomfort as well due to pressure on these joints.

Guidelines for proper posture in dental practice

Here are a few guidelines that you need to follow to maintain proper posture in your dental practice: (1)

1. Maintain an erect posture by keeping your head positioned over the shoulders. Incline your head forward only slightly when required.
2. Keep your torso upright and adjust the backrest of the chair to get support for your back.
3. To identify that you are sitting upright, always ensure that your shoulders are oriented over your hips. Keep your elbows close to your body and the forearm in front.
4. Let the wrists be in a neutral position and your fingertips maintained at a comfortable height.
5. Your seated posture should be such that your hips are a little higher than your knees, your feet are lying flat on the floor and the lower legs are at 90 degrees to the floor.
6. Wear comfortable shoes and apparel to your workplace.
7. For better vision, use equipment like loupes or a microscope that can aid in magnification. An accurate view enhances focus and helps you maintain an ideal posture.

Make the dental office ergonomically friendly

Office design

While designing a dental office, a lot of effort is put into making it aesthetically pleasant for the prospective client. Although esthetics has an essential role in running a successful practice, ergonomics can never be ignored.

Hence, while designing your office remember to take care of the following details:

1. The instrument table should be positioned close to the dentist so that the dental assistant or dentist can access it  with ease.
2. There should be adequate lighting to avoid undue strain on the eyes and enhance visibility. At the same time, the task lighting (dental operating light) should be not more than three times as bright as the ambient lighting (room lighting). This is to ensure that the dentist has good visibility while working but that the patient is not blinded by the light.
3. Care should be taken to avoid any sharp edges in the workstation.
4. There should be proper ventilation and a pleasant temperature (preferably above 25 degree Celsius) should be maintained within the office.

Work habits

A few guidelines related to work habits are:

1. Never overlook symptoms like pain or stiffness in the neck, wrist, or back. When unattended, these mild symptoms grow into chronic musculoskeletal problems, some of which cause permanent damage.
2. It is recommended to maintain an erect posture while working.
3. Avoid or limit excessive finger and wrist movements.
4. While working, alternate your positions from sitting to standing.
5. Horizontal position of the patient chair is recommended for most of the treatment procedures. When your patient is in the supine position it becomes easier for you to maintain a neutral posture.
6. Use the right size of gloves. Although this  sounds trivial, it actually has a great impact on dentist’s finger movements.

Innovations in dental equipment and technology

In this world of modern technology, never fall behind in embracing the latest innovations that are meant to make your life easier and more comfortable. Some helpful tips are:

1. Both the operator chair and patient chair should have the feature of height adjustment.
2. In the dentist’s chair, there should be lumbar, thoracic, or arm support.
3. Avoid the use of blunt instruments as they reduce your efficiency and increase stress thereby reducing the overall performance.
4. It is recommended to replace manual instruments with automatic equipment to enhance ease of operation and reduce the chairside time.

Training and education for dental professionals

As dentists, you should undergo training and education programs that offer in-depth insights into ergonomic principles, emphasizing the importance of maintaining proper posture and equipment adjustments. This is to safeguard your well-being and ensure the highest standards of patient care.

With the help of such programs, you can identify and address common musculoskeletal issues related to your  practice. These courses also make way for the introduction of latest innovations in ergonomic dental equipment and technology that aim at reducing physical strain and enhancing overall efficiency.

With a strong foundation in dental ergonomics, you can create an ergonomic-friendly environment that benefits both you  and your patients.

Conclusion

As a dentist, patient care and satisafction is your top priority but your health and career shouldn’t be compromised in your endeavor to achieve your goals. By following the principles of dental ergonomics, you are safeguarding your health and ensuring career longevity. By optimizing your workspace, practicing sound work habits and empowering yourself with latest ergonomic innovations, you are ensuring both your own well-being and an enhanced quality of patient care. Remember, your well-being is as important as the smiles you create!

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