Ergonomics in General Dental Practice

An ounce of prevention is better than pounds of cure ……That’s what dental health care workers spend their daytelling their patients, but it also applies to working conditions that can cause pain in the neck, shoulder and hand to adentist. In dental clinics, there are very few activities that can cause sudden injuries, rather it is an accumulation ofharmless 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, symptomsand risk factors of these types of injuries, so that one can be aware of developing problems and can change his /herapproach to work or alter the workstation setup to prevent further injury. The article discusses the important issues ofposture and offers different exercises to work with comfort, efficiency and ease.