3 ergonomic tips to help dental assistants avoid injuries

After a busy day filled with patient appointments, you may be all too familiar with an aching back, tight shoulders, or numb wrists — and you’re not alone. Dental assisting is a physically demanding job as a result of being on your feet all day, sitting or standing in awkward positions for prolonged periods of time, and moving equipment around. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce or even prevent strain on your body.

Ergonomic consultant Ginny Jorgensen, CDA, EFDA, CDIPC, believes communication and teamwork within the workplace are essential for bettering ergonomics. Ginny says, “If a dental assistant is really committed and lucky enough to work on a supportive team, in just weeks to a couple months they can start noticing reduced pain.”

Without taking proper preventive measures, daily strain can eventually lead to long-term injuries that impact both your health and career. Here are some tips and techniques you can use to better your physical health and reset your body in the office.

Adjust your position

Sitting in the same position for long periods may lead to muscle tension, fatigue, and strain. To reduce discomfort and support long-term health, dental assistants should vary their posture and movements throughout the day whenever they can. Although many procedures require dental assistants to remain seated to maintain visibility and efficiently pass instruments to the dentist, alternating between sitting and standing when appropriate can lessen stress on the back, neck, and shoulders. Making small adjustments throughout the workday can improve comfort and promote better overall ergonomics.

“The biggest thing that can make a change is learning how to properly seat a patient,” says Ginny. “Learning about the adjustments on dental chairs and stools can make both patients and dental assistants more comfortable.”

You may also want to consider changing the methods in which you carry out certain aspects of your job. For instance, rather than sitting hunched over a patient, try to sit with a straight back where your neck and shoulders are aligned.

Ginny explains, “More than once, I saw a dental assistant with problems in their left shoulder. After observing their behavior, I realized they were repeatedly reaching their arm up and back to grab the light above the patient. I started advising they should stand up and get the light into position before sitting down to assist the dentist. Just that simple change got rid of a lot of their pain.”

Take stretch breaks

Dental assistants often face busy schedules packed with patient appointments, which can make it challenging to carve out time to take a break. However, even short breaks can have positive effects in the long run. Brief moments of recovery are especially essential for dental assistants who spend the majority of their day performing repetitive movements in awkward positions.

Ginny notes, “While you’re turning over a room or having a break in the schedule, doing short 30- to 60-second exercises can make a big difference over time.”

In addition to reducing physical strain, taking brief breaks can help dental assistants stay focused and productive throughout the day. Stretching between patients gives your muscles a chance to recover while also giving you a mental reset before the next appointment. By taking advantage of natural pauses in the schedule, dental assistants can support both their physical well-being and their ability to provide quality patient care throughout the workday.

“It takes 5 seconds when you’re working to remind yourself to sit in a proper position, take a deep breath, and reset yourself,” says Ginny. “You don’t need to immediately get off your stool and start exercising. Just small changes can make a large difference.”

Try breathing exercises

Stress can negatively impact the body and may lead to stress-related injuries or conditions later down the line. Breathing exercises can be a simple yet effective way for dental assistants to manage stress levels throughout the workday.

Ginny shares, “I remember one time being in an intense procedure and forgetting to breathe. Breathing exercises can help relieve tension and reduce stress.”