Dental Hygienist

Due to poor positioning, dental hygienist are at a risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders such as “the tendons, tendons sheaths, muscles, and nerves of hands, wrists, arms, elbows, shoulders, neck and back” (Darby & Walsh page 144). 70% of members of the dental team, including dentists, assistants and hygienists reported of having some sort of back pain due to improper positioning http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2013-archive/july/posturing-for-relief). Of those 70%, 79% admitted that their back pain was indeed worsening as they continued to perform the same tasks http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2013-archive/july/posturing-for-relief).. This is primarily due to repetitive strain syndrome, which include muscoskeletal

Carpel tunnel is defined as “a pinched nerve in [the] wrist” (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20030332). Approximately a third a dental hygienists have reported having carpel tunnel syndrome (Darby Walsh 151). It is the cause of repetitive movements such as continuously flexing the wrist. Room temperature in another important factor to consider as a cause for carpel tunnel and many other musculoskeletal disorders. The muscles in the body tend to relax at warmer clients, therefore if the temperature of the dental office is too low, it will cause the muscles to become stiff which will consequently lead to repetitive strain injuries (Darby&Walsh 144). Some preventive measures include good posture with feet flat on the ground and thighs parallel to the ground and avoid over flexing the hand and wrist in any way (Darby and walsh

Magnification is used to help the hygienist see properly into the mouth and “is needed to improve visualization” (wilkins 93). The hygienist could choose to have prescripted glasses, flip-up which are fundamentally only used to magnify the oral cavity or loupes which have a light attached to them and usually strapped around the glasses (wilkins 93). Handpieces are fundamentally made delicate and light for hygienists. They include dental mirrors, which are designed to be used by the nondominant hand in order to decrease and, if needed, increase the exertion of the wrist (Wilkins 151). They are ergonomically designed to fit perfectly in the hygienists hand (WIlikin 93). Ergonomically designed handppieces are “larger diameter handles” (darby walsh 150). This facilitates the grasp of the handle. The reach of the tray, which includes the hand pieces should be at an arms reach, usually right next to the hygienist (Wilkins