Ergonomics
Pain is No Gain
Keeping dental customers in business is the primary business of dental distributor reps. When work literally becomes a pain, however, many dentists think twice about closing their practice.
Indeed, pain on the job reportedly is one of the biggest contributors to early retirement among dentists. At the very least, it has become a major health concern for practitioners and a common reason for canceling appointments with patients. Helping dentists select the right products, whether chairs, stools or lighting, and then training them to properly use this equipment, can transform the workstation from an epicenter of pain to a hub of productivity.
What is ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the science of fitting the work environment to the worker. When the "fit" is off, dentists and hygienists typically experience a buildup of pain over time due to musculoskeletal dysfunction. The design of the workstation, together with the positioning of equipment, seating, lighting and other objects all play a role in creating an ergonomically sound work setting. Small spaces do not present an obstacle as long as the equipment and the patient’s oral cavity are positioned with the practitioner’s well being in mind. Even the position of the instrument tray can affect ergonomics. Distributor reps also should keep in mind that design characteristics that suit a large male dentist or hygienist will not be optimal for a petite female practitioner.
Every time a dentist or hygienist twists or turns to pick up an instrument or examine a patient, he is fitting himself to the environment, not vice versa. When the dentist places his body in an unnatural position for prolonged periods of time, it can lead to musculoskeletal dysfunction and ensuing neck and shoulder pain or tingling fingers and elbows.
Experts recommend that dentists and hygienists learn to work in the "home position," a balanced, seated position that helps prevent the buildup of pain. Home position requires the worker to sit with:
- Feet flat on the floor or foot ring
- Knees shoulder-width apart and about an inch above the hips
- Shoulders back
- Neck in a neutral position
- Upper arms hanging straight down along the side of the upper body
- Work area mid-chest, with heart high.
Products
There is no such thing as an ergonomic product per se. Chairs, stools and equipment in and of themselves will not help reduce physical stress on the dentist unless they are adapted to his work habits and style. That said, some less expensive chairs or stools may not be designed as efficiently and may work less effectively in an ergonomically designed office setting.
Indeed, if a patient chair is too thick to allow the operator to properly maneuver underneath it, or if the back is too wide and prevents the dentist from moving close enough to the oral cavity, the distributor rep should suggest a different style that is better-suited to the user.
At the same time, the rep should make certain that his dental customers are aware of various ergonomic-minded design features. A double-articulating headrest, for example, is one of the most underused items by dentists looking to adapt their work environment to their work style. By using this headrest, which can cost several hundred dollars, dentists can properly position the patient’s oral cavity, allowing him to remain in the "home position." It is up to the distributor rep to ensure their dental customers are using equipment and products properly.
Lighting is another product that can add to - or take away from - an ergonomically designed work setting. Bending over patients for extended periods can often lead to ongoing back or neck pain for dentists and hygienists. The right lighting system can help them eliminate unnecessary movements. Most dental lights offer three axes of rotation (swivel, tilt and rotation), each of which should be independently adjustable to suit the user. In addition, the light head should be positioned 27 inches from the oral cavity for optimal illumination.
When light intensity settings and on/off controls are located in the front of the light, the dentist can avoid reaching around the light head. Automatic on/off features eliminate further movement, as well as improve asepsis.
Today, ergonomics is not only intended for the dentist, but for the patient as well. For example, such products as track light monitors are designed for ceiling mounting, permitting the patient to view intra-oral images or digital
X-rays without unnaturally twisting in the chair.
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