How to Avoid Injuries in the Dental Profession
The dentistry profession is without a doubt one of the most physically demanding occupations in healthcare. Even the legs and arms are included in dentistry. Dentistry, whether you're a dentist, hygienist, or dental assistant, puts a lot of strain on your body and brain. Good habits are essential for a long-term career, free of discomfort, damage, and even disability. Like how necessary it is for a dentist to invest in dental loupes. Today, following the right things to prevent injuries at work is important.
Here, we have mentioned a few points that you can follow to prevent injuries, especially in the dental profession.
Exercise
A person's body can be physically damaged by dentistry. Indeed, according to the Dental Research Journal, dental procedures are thought to be very dangerous by both dentists and most of the general population
- Neck pain from inappropriate head posture
- Hand pain from repetitive stress on the hands from tools and hand-pieces
- Back pain owing to inadequate ergonomic motions
- Other musculoskeletal illnesses from the accumulated pressures of bad positioning
Exercises that enhance flexibility and create stronger muscles and joints are advised for strengthening your body. Stretching, core-building, and yoga can help you maintain your health throughout your dental career.
Technology
In terms of equipment and technology, dentistry has gone a long way. Utilize it to your advantage to stay injury-free.
- When using a dental loupe or microscope, you may increase your eyesight without straining your eyes or neck.
- Dental loupes light provides shadow-free illumination of the whole mouth cavity, allowing for a clean and pleasant working environment all day long.
- A saddle chair that is ergonomically adjusted to your height or standing can assist your lower back by reducing the amount of pressure and tension on your muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints.
- Custom earplugs - Your hearing may suffer if you listen to your noisy handpieces every day. An earplug set can assist in protecting your hearing and prevent long-term harm to your acoustics.
- Heavy instruments put a lot of strain on your wrists and fingers overtime. Prevent hand fatigue by using lightweight instruments and hand-piece
4-Handed Dentistry
Dentists must use four hands when doing dental procedures. Using both hands allows the dental assistant and dentist to practise dentistry in the most time-efficient and effective manner possible. Proper ergonomics requires time and dedication, but it substantially reduces injury risks for dental professionals and patients. A dentist and assistant may often operate in tandem without speaking or even lifting their heads when they have learned the art of using four hands to do dentistry.
The equipment should be placed so that it allows for 4-handed dentistry and the optimum ergonomic motions if you are creating an office. Keep in mind that you should discuss with your assistant what supplies and tools you will require for an operation in advance of the process. Stress, time, and motions can lead to bad posture and injury if they aren't minimized. Assisting your employees in maintaining healthy body motions can help them avoid preventable injuries.
Reminders: Your team should be gently reminded to maintain proper posture and to operate with four hands when performing 4 handed dentistry. Pre-work warm-ups might include brief physical and mental strength exercises for your dental staff. Thus, having all the right equipment as well as understanding between the dentists is important.
If you notice someone making a potentially dangerous error, consider addressing them so that the risky practice does not become a terrible habit that is hard to break. By educating and reminding new workers about office safety standards, you may also be able to prevent mishaps. Always suggest that your fellow dentist friends who are not technology-driven invest in dental loupes, which is an important tool today.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), workplace safety culture may reduce hazards for both employees and patients. Injuries at work can be avoided if you consider following these guidelines for yourself and your employees.