Ergonomics in Dentistry: The Absolute Dent-Ergonomics Workout.

Ergonomics is a scientific discipline that studies workers and their relationship to their occupational environment. Dental professionals are at increased risk of development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) because of their prolonged working hours and improper postures. Several factors contribute to poor ergonomics. These MSDs can lead to temporary or permanent disabilities such as dorsalgia, sciatica, and carpel tunnel syndrome. The purpose of this review was to create a complete exercise plan for dentist that addresses the commonly affected musculoskeletal areas due to poor ergonomics. A comprehensive exercise plan by the name of – “The Absolute Dent-Ergonomics Workout” was developed to address all the majorly affected musculoskeletal areas caused due to improper ergonomics. This plan specifically focuses on the stretching and the strengthening of the muscles as a whole and can be practiced with minimal or no armamentarium or assistance. Proper instructions for all the steps of the exercises have been discussed with pictorial representation.

Use of Modafi nil for Shortening the Recovery Period of Patients Subjected to Conscious Sedation.

Conscious sedation is a safe and effective technique for patients subjected to invasive diagnostic procedures or minor surgeries. One of the most common seen side effects of this procedure involves Drowsiness, which may be so severe that the patient is not able and advised to resume his normal day to day activities up to 24 h post procedure. This amount of time in recovery is discomforting to the patient and thus should be reduced to a bare minimum following analgesic action of the sedatives. The mechanisms of action of all major classes of sedatives follow a common route via stimulation of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) receptors along with depression in the release of dopamine, which controls locomotor activity. Modafi nil leads to increase in extracellular and synaptic concentrations of dopamine, elevates hypothalamic histamine levels and also causes activation of glutamatergic circuits, while inhibiting GABAergic neurotransmission. The objective of this short communication was to search for a universal agent to facilitate the recovery post conscious sedation and to determine the role of Modafi nil for the same. At the end, we hypothesized that modafi nil can act as a reliable universal drug to shorten the recovery period of patients subjected to procedural anesthesia.