Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of ergonomics?
What is the primary focus of ergonomics?
- Maximizing profits in a dental office
- Improving workspaces to fit the needs of workers (correct)
- Reducing the number of patients seen daily
- Increasing production speed in dental practices
What is a key goal of ergonomics in dentistry regarding staff?
What is a key goal of ergonomics in dentistry regarding staff?
- Reducing the need for breaks during appointments
- Encouraging longer working hours
- Promoting healthy movement and good posture (correct)
- Minimizing staff interaction with patients
What negative outcome is ergonomics intended to eliminate?
What negative outcome is ergonomics intended to eliminate?
- Staff meetings
- High treatment costs
- Musculoskeletal pain (correct)
- Patient complaints
Which of these is a main goal of ergonomics in the workplace?
Which of these is a main goal of ergonomics in the workplace?
Which of the following is a goal of ergonomics?
Which of the following is a goal of ergonomics?
What is a potential consequence of poor ergonomic practices?
What is a potential consequence of poor ergonomic practices?
What percentage of dental students report lower back pain by their third year?
What percentage of dental students report lower back pain by their third year?
What is a common reason for early retirement among dental professionals?
What is a common reason for early retirement among dental professionals?
What type of injury is considered a risk factor in the dental field?
What type of injury is considered a risk factor in the dental field?
Which of the following is a risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)?
Which of the following is a risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)?
What type of room can contribute to Musculo-skeletal disorders?
What type of room can contribute to Musculo-skeletal disorders?
Which of the following is an aspect of Ergonomics in Dentistry?
Which of the following is an aspect of Ergonomics in Dentistry?
What is a feature of dental overhead lights that support good ergonomics?
What is a feature of dental overhead lights that support good ergonomics?
The ability to change the direction of dental overhead lights is known as what?
The ability to change the direction of dental overhead lights is known as what?
What is a beneficial feature ergonomic operator chairs?
What is a beneficial feature ergonomic operator chairs?
What is a benefit of patient chairs that are adjustable for different body sizes?
What is a benefit of patient chairs that are adjustable for different body sizes?
What feature should a patient chair have?
What feature should a patient chair have?
The neutral position means which of these options?
The neutral position means which of these options?
Which body part is important to keep in a neutral position for ergonomics?
Which body part is important to keep in a neutral position for ergonomics?
What does 'neutral' mean in the context of body positioning?
What does 'neutral' mean in the context of body positioning?
What piece of equipment can be considered 'your best friend'?
What piece of equipment can be considered 'your best friend'?
Besides indirect vision, what is something a dental mirror helps with?
Besides indirect vision, what is something a dental mirror helps with?
What is a use for transillumination?
What is a use for transillumination?
In the 'clock position' concept, which zone is directly in front of the patient?
In the 'clock position' concept, which zone is directly in front of the patient?
During dental procedures, where should the patient's head be positioned for treating the maxillary arch?
During dental procedures, where should the patient's head be positioned for treating the maxillary arch?
In patient positioning, how should the operator position the patient's head when treating the mandibular arch?
In patient positioning, how should the operator position the patient's head when treating the mandibular arch?
When performing dental work on posterior sextants (head away), how should the patient's head be positioned?
When performing dental work on posterior sextants (head away), how should the patient's head be positioned?
In what position should the patient be in, when working on posterior sextants (towards you)?
In what position should the patient be in, when working on posterior sextants (towards you)?
When working on anterior teeth, in what direction should should clinicians move a patient's head?
When working on anterior teeth, in what direction should should clinicians move a patient's head?
In what direction is the head recommended to move for anterior work?
In what direction is the head recommended to move for anterior work?
During dental work on anterior teeth, what is a helpful skill to remember?
During dental work on anterior teeth, what is a helpful skill to remember?
When working on a patient's posterior sextants (head away), which way should their chin be?
When working on a patient's posterior sextants (head away), which way should their chin be?
When working on a patient's posterior sextants (towards you), which way should their chin be?
When working on a patient's posterior sextants (towards you), which way should their chin be?
When positioned correctly, how should an operator feel?
When positioned correctly, how should an operator feel?
Flashcards
Ergonomics Definition
Ergonomics Definition
The science of designing workspaces to fit the needs of workers, prioritizing their well-being and efficiency.
Ergonomics in Dentistry
Ergonomics in Dentistry
In dentistry, ergonomics focuses on dental practices that support healthy movement and good posture for ALL staff.
Main Goals of Ergonomics
Main Goals of Ergonomics
Reduce over exertion injury, minimize fatigue, remove unnecessary tasks/effort, and offer opportunities for job satisfaction, comfort, and fulfillment.
Musculo-skeletal Disorders
Musculo-skeletal Disorders
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Baseline Ergonomics Principles
Baseline Ergonomics Principles
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Ergonomic Risk Factors
Ergonomic Risk Factors
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Ergonomics focus areas
Ergonomics focus areas
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Surgery Design
Surgery Design
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Dental Light Qualities
Dental Light Qualities
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Operator Chair Qualities
Operator Chair Qualities
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Neutral Operator Position
Neutral Operator Position
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What is neutral?
What is neutral?
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Neutral body parts
Neutral body parts
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Dental Mirror Uses
Dental Mirror Uses
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Operator's zone
Operator's zone
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Clock Position
Clock Position
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Left Handed Clinician
Left Handed Clinician
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Posterior sextants (Head away)
Posterior sextants (Head away)
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Posterior sextants (Head towards)
Posterior sextants (Head towards)
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Anterior
Anterior
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Right Handed Clinician
Right Handed Clinician
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Study Notes
- Intended learning outcomes by the end of the session:
- Define ergonomics in dentistry
- Explain the main goals of ergonomic design
- Discuss risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders
- Discuss the key baseline principles of ergonomics in dentistry, including using the dental mirror
- Demonstrate these principles through clinical positioning
Ergonomics in Dentistry
- Ergonomics aims to make workspaces meet the worker's needs
- Ergonomics ensures that dental practices support and promote the healthy movement and good posture of all staff
- Ergonomics aims to eliminate musculoskeletal pain that sees many dental careers end prematurely
- Ergonomics will enable providing the best possible experience for staff and patients
Main Goals of Ergonomics
- Reduce overexertion injury
- Minimize fatigue
- Remove unnecessary tasks, steps and effort
- Offer more opportunities for job satisfaction, comfort, and fulfillment
Consequences of Poor Ergonomics
- Loss of earnings and money spending
- Acute/chronic pain
- Impacting treatment outcomes
- Impacts mood and well-being
- Shorter career
- Accidents and injury
Why should we care?
- Musculoskeletal disorders a common reason to retire early from dentistry
- MSDs impact staff income and performance
- MSDs are present in up to 81% of dental personnel
- Lower back pain has been reported by 70% of dental students by their 3rd year
Risk factors for Musculo-skeletal Disorders (MSDs)
- Poorly designed room
- Vibrations from tools
- Pre-disposing MSD's
- Static positioning
- Excessive force
- Repetitive movements
- Minute grasping
Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Tennis Elbow
- Rotator cuff tendinitis
- Neck pain
- Golfer's elbow
- DeQuervian's Tenosynovitis
- Bicep strain
- Herniated Disc
- Osteoarthritis
- Greater tronchateric bursitis
- Pulled hamstring
- Shin splint
- Achilles Tendinopathy
- Plantar fasciitis
Key aspects of Ergonomics in Dentistry
- Instruments
- Equipment and work stations
- Hand-held instruments
- Power-driven instruments
- Lighting
- Magnification
- Clinician weight considerations
- Posture
- Patient/clinician operator & chair position
Surgery Design Considerations
- Workflow
- Instrument and equipment placement
- Zones dedicated to sterilization, rinsing, inspection, scrub
- Room layout
- Storage
Lighting Considerations
- Overhead dental lights should
- Distribute light evenly
- Be shadow free
- Allow accessibility, movement, and side angulation
- Have adjustable intensity for material manipulation
Operator Chair
- Mobile with glide to enhance movement
- Stable
- Lumbar support and adjustable to fit body sizes
- Allows patient access
Patient Chair
- Patients should sit comfortably
- Allows patient access
- Should be stable
- Adjustable head-rest
- Support for head, torso, feet
Operator Position
- Neutral means all joints and limbs are in a neutral position, not extending pressure or requiring effort
- The order of achieving the neutral position:
- Feet
- Knees
- Buttocks
- Elbow
- Shoulder
Clock Positions
- Clock positions provide a reference for operator and assistant positioning around the patient
Patient Positioning
- Patients head should be even with the upper edge of the headrest in supine position
- When treating the maxilla: angle the head rest back – chin should be up
- When treating the mandible: head rest forward and down - chin is down
The Dental Mirror
- A mirror is essential for dental work
- It is multifunctional and not optional
- It needs care, vary in sizes, and magnification
- Used for:
- Indirect vision
- Retraction
- Indirect illumination
- Transillumination
Sense Check
- Ensure you the clinician is comfortable to work
- Being able to think and access the patient
- Be neutral
- Moving yourself out of neutral
- Chair and patient head positioning
Positioning for a Left-Handed Clinician
- Head turned slightly away or toward the clinician
- Chin up or down
- Neutral & Comfortable
Posterior Sextants
- Patients head away from the clinician - 3 o'clock position
- Neutral
- Look at the hands
- Patients head away
- Chin up and down positions
Head towards the clinicians - between 2 to 1 o'clock
- Neutral
- Look at the hands
- Patients towards you
- Chin-up and down positions
- Indirect vision is provided
Anterior head position - 12 o'clock position
- Head moves slightly
- This provides about power and efficiency
- Provides the same movement as turning a door knob
- Easier anticlockwise
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