Ergonomics in general dental practice.

ABSTRACT

An ounce of prevention is better than pounds of cure ……That’s what dental health care workers spend their day telling their patients, but it also applies to working conditions that can cause pain in the neck, shoulder and hand to a dentist. In dental clinics, there are very few activities that can cause sudden injuries, rather it is an accumulation of harmless working positions over months and years, which are repeated so often that they cause irreversible injuries. This article includes Musculoskeletal disorders / Repetitive Strain Injuries (MSDs /RSIs) and the signs, symptoms and risk factors of these types of injuries, so that one can be aware of developing problems and can change his /her approach to work or alter the workstation setup to prevent further injury. The article discusses the important issues of posture and offers different exercises to work with comfort, efficiency and ease.