If you have back pain, it’s because being a dentist is a risky job.
Musculoskeletal disorders in dental professions are caused by poor posture.
Have you ever thought of your job as a risky profession?
If your answer is no, think again. Healthcare professions are among the 5 riskiest jobs in terms of the musculoskeletal health of the professional. In this ranking we have: construction and agricultural workers, drivers of vehicles and hairdressers.
The sedentary nature of the job, the stress of uncomfortable posture and muscular tension prolonged over time expose professionals, who carry out a job like that in the dental sector, to a series of musculoskeletal disorders that can seriously compromise the quality of life.
Posture problems in professions are a priority for the EU.
A 2021 study by EU-OSHA (European Agency for Safety and Health at Work) reveals that 59% of workplaces in the EU identified prolonged sitting as the third most frequent risk factor.
Looking specifically at the dental sector, according to a study published in the British Dental Journal, 60% of dental students already report musculoskeletal pain during their training.
Sedentary lifestyle in dental professions
In the dental sector, the risk is amplified by the need to maintain static positions, often tilted, for prolonged periods. These posture positions can cause muscle tension, nerve compression and spinal problems. Common symptoms include chronic pain, stiffness, reduced mobility and, in the most severe cases, inability to work, which can also have economic repercussions.
Test: do you have good posture while working?
These are some indicators of good posture. While you are working ask yourself:
Do I have a straight back, with a slight curve at the bottom?
Is my head central in relation to my shoulders?
Are my shoulders relaxed and not raised towards my ears?
Do I have a neutral pelvis, not tilted forward or backward?
Do I have both feet flat on the floor, with my knees at about a 90-degree angle?
If you answered yes to all of these, you probably have good posture right now. But are you sure that it is always like this while you are working?
How can we prevent musculoskeletal disorders for those who do sedentary jobs?
The answer is mundane but effective in its simplicity: do not be sedentary.
1) Vary your movements as much as possible:
Alternate sitting and standing positions. Also remember to rest your eyes. Focus on something very close and move your gaze to something very far away.
2) Use ergonomic seats:
Ergonomic stools allow you to have a natural back posture (an “S”) unlike the classic “C” posture that we assume when we are sitting on common chairs.
3) Take frequent breaks:
After each patient, dedicate a couple of minutes to stretching. It lengthens the muscles and relaxes the spine.
4) Strengthen your core, back and shoulders:
Focus on specific exercises, such as muscle strengthening for the core and back.
If you answered the test and you think your seat is not adequate…
We will recommend the perfect stool for you!
Bambach by Hager and Werken is the innovative seating system designed specifically for those who perform sedentary jobs, such as dental professionals. The purpose of this seat is to recreate conditions so that your posture is as neutral as possible.
These seats were founded by the experience of Mary Gale, an occupational therapist who believed in the therapeutic relationship between animals and patients. Observing how some patients with movement problems found relief in horseback riding, she decided to develop a seat that reproduced the natural posture of riding.
The Bambach seat positions the pelvis below the spine, allowing it to resume its natural curve. This means that spinal discs are not subjected to pressure, helping to prevent back pain and related problems.
It also keeps the hips at an optimal ergonomic angle of 45 degrees, allowing back and thigh muscles to fully relax.
