Ergonomic tips to help you stay healthy

By | May 2, 2016

ErgonomicsIf your muscles are sore at the end of the day — even though you’re a young new dentist or dental student — you’re not alone.

According to the ADA Center for Professional Success, 40 to 60 percent of dental professionals suffer from work-related musculoskeletal issues.

Here are some of the painful predicaments inherent in hands-on dentistry and easy in-office stretches to keep you and your
staff healthy.

Neck pain To avoid some neck pain, when possible, sit up straight and keep your feet flat on the floor. In addition, check for the correct focal length and declination angle on your loupes. If the focal length is not adequate or the declination angle is not enough, it forces you to drop your head into a poorly balanced position.

Neck-shoulder stretches Simple stretches throughout the day are important. Try intertwining your fingers together behind your head and bringing your elbows forward and back; turning your head from the right, to the left, to the right again; and retracting and protracting your neck.

Back pain Dental professionals are especially susceptible to back pain because of prolonged sitting, awkward postures and sustained muscular contractions. You should seek medical attention if the pain has gone from an acute episode to more of a chronic situation, or a progression of symptoms from your back or your neck into an extremity.

Back stretches Again, simple stretches throughout the day should be done, including: intertwining your fingers behind your head, bringing your elbows forward and then looking up and pointing your elbows toward the sky; bringing your knees apart and leaning forward toward the floor; keeping handson your chest and rotating from the left to the right; and slouching and arching your back.

Arm pain and stretches Discomfort or tenderness in your forearm near your elbow may be the beginning of some irritation of your wrist and hand extensor muscles. This could be a precursor to a more problematic condition such as tendinitis. Stretches include touching your palm to your shoulder; and simulating the so-called “touchdown” signal that NFL referees make after a touchdown — in other words, raising both straight arms into the air.

Hand pain and stretches If hand pain is bothering you, use fitted gloves, rather than ambidextrous gloves; alternate between thicker and thinner handled instruments; use powered instruments with proper prophy angles; and take short stretch breaks between patients. Stretches include turning palms up, and then down; and wiggling your fingers and shaking your hands.

Leg and foot pain and stretches In between patients, you can stretch your leg and foot muscles while sitting in your chair. Some exercises include marching in place; spreading your knees back and forth; straightening your leg, and then bending your knees; and rotating your ankles while your leg is out in front of you. These exercises are not meant as a substitute for medical evaluation from a trained physician.

To watch videos of the stretches, go the ADA Center for Professional Success’ website at Success.ADA.org and search for “7 Ergo Tips.”

10 thoughts on “Ergonomic tips to help you stay healthy

  1. Jordan

    Thanks for sharing this. A lot of people don’t think about the stress a profession like dentistry can have on the body! It’s important to stretch and keep yourself healthy.

    Reply
  2. Kevin Tighe

    Good info. Will pass onto my clients. Thank you!

    “The first wealth is health.”

    -Ralph Waldo Emerson

    Reply
  3. Pingback: Ergonomic Tips for Dental Professionals -

  4. Jacob Froerer, DDS MSD

    Great tips!! I find stretching my back with a foam roller on the ground helps to counteract all the forward posture I do throughout the day. This also helps me avoid needing to see a chiropractor.

    Reply
  5. Brooke McAvoy

    Stretches are something that I definitely could do better on. I appreciate you describing the kind of simple stretches that wold help with this type of problem. Does popping your neck or back have any influence on back and neck pain? This is something that I do often, but I would definitely make an effort to stop if it was creating issues. Thank you for a clear and informative article!

    Reply
  6. Pingback: Top 10 most popular New Dentist Now blog posts of 2016 | New Dentist Blog

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *