Clinical

Dr. Bethany Valachi, PT, DPT, MS, CEAS is DPR’s ergonomics editor and author of the book,“Practice Dentistry Pain-Free” and clinical instructor of ergonomics at OHSU School of Dentistry in Portland, Ore. She is also the author of the evidence-based "Online Dental Ergonomic & Wellness System for Dental Professionals." A physical therapist who has worked exclusively with dental professionals for more than 15 years, she is recognized internationally as an expert in dental ergonomics, and has been invited to lecture at more than 300 conferences worldwide. She has published more than 50 articles in peer-reviewed dental journals and has developed patient positioning and exercise DVDs specifically for dental professionals. Bethany offers free newsletters, articles, videos and product reviews on her website at www.posturedontics.com and can be reached at info@posturedontics.com.

Articles

For years, sitting with your hips at a 90-degree angle was thought to be ideal. But research suggests otherwise.

Are right angles... wrong?

Stephenie Overman has written about workplace and health issues for Fortune.com, HR Magazine, Employee Benefits News, the Los Angeles Business Journal, and Bulletin to Management. In addition to being author of the book “Next-Generation Wellness at Work,” (Praeger Publishing) she has been editor of Staffing Management and Executive Talent magazines. She was senior writer in the Society for Human Resource Management’s publication department. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from Ball State University and a master’s degree in labor studies from the University of the District of Columbia. She taught news writing at Rutgers University.

One of the biggest dangers for dentists is strain caused by awkward positioning, so we take a look at how to combat injury.

Why poor posture can be a real pain in the neck

Your exercise routine may be the most damaging part of your lifestyle-are you making these critical mistakes in your workouts?

The top exercises that can worsen dentists' health

Selecting the correct loupes can make a big difference for your health.

Are dental loupes improving or worsening your neck health?

A-dec consulted with dental professionals to optimize its new dental furniture line for improved workflow and efficiency, A-dec Inspire.

A-dec's Inspire furniture collection improves workflow, efficiency

Ergonomic challenges in the front office rivals can often rival those in the dental operatory! Just as in many dental operatory scenarios, you don’t have to break the bank to ‘ergonomize’ your front office. Here are the top problems I encounter in dental front offices and easy, economical fixes.

How to optimize and "ergonomize" your front office

Lisa Wadsworth, RDH, BS, is president of Lisa C. Wadsworth, Inc., a company focused on consulting and personal coaching for the dental community. Lisa earned a BS in Psychology, received Fellowship status with the Association of Dental Implant Auxiliaries and is recognized by Philips/Sonicare as a Key Opinion Leader. Lecture topics include implant dentistry, periodontal protocols, professional development, and ergonomics. As a speaker, she has been honored by Dentistry Today as a Leader in Continuing Education since 2007. She served as a contributing editor for Modern Hygienist from 2005 to 2007. She can be reached at (215) 262-6168 or via the website at www.lisawadsworth.com.

Valerie Phillips, RDH, MSDH, practiced dental hygiene for 25 years in three states until becoming partially disabled in 2012 from shoulder injuries. She completed her Master of Science in Dental Hygiene at Eastern Washington University in 2013. Her thesis research was a qualitative study of cardiologists and their beliefs and opinions of the oral systemic link. Valerie currently teaches online in the Bachelor degree completion and the Masters of Science in Dental Hygiene programs for Eastern Washington University. She volunteers as a delegate for her local dental hygiene component and fills the role of “social media chairperson.” Valerie also supports outreach programs for the component and is involved on a personal level with the mentally ill community with a focus on enhancing/educating the dental needs of this population. Valerie can be reached at vphillipsRDH@outlook.com or 530-227-0546.

The practice of dental hygiene wreaks havoc on the body. Although many ergonomic improvements for safely practicing clinical hygiene are available, most of us do not make it to retirement age working chairside, even part time. Do you have a plan, should you become disabled?

Top 5 checklist for a dental hygienist to do before becoming disabled

Demystifying pain among women in dentistry

Naturally, you want your patient to be comfortable. However, when we compare how many hours a year the average patient spends reclined in a dental chair (several hours), with the time you spend hovering over the oral cavity (over 2000 hours), who is really at risk of developing discomfort or pain?

The 4 ergonomic ‘must-haves’ in a patient chair

Dr. Roger P. Levin is the CEO of Levin Group, a leading dental management consulting firm. Founded in 1985, Levin Group has worked with over 30,000 dental practices. Dr. Levin is one of the most sought-after speakers in dentistry and is a leading authority on dental practice success and sustainable growth. Through extensive research and cutting-edge innovation, Dr. Levin is a recognized expert on propelling practices into the top 10 percent. He has authored 65 books and over 4,000 articles on dental practice management and marketing. He has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Time magazine and is the creator of the Levin Group Tip of the Day, which has over 30,000 subscribers. To contact Dr. Levin, visit www.levingroup.com or email rlevin@levingroup.com. 

Dr. Roger Levin has personally spoken to numerous dentists who want to retire because they are exhausted, not because they’ve stopped enjoying dentistry. That's one of the problems with being out of shape.

Ergonomics