Ergonomics for Veterinary Dentistry Professionals and Patients

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are occurring daily in our veterinary profession.^2,3 According to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA’s) Introduction to Ergonomics, it’s likely these types of work-related injuries cause physical and economic hardships on personnel and veterinary practices.

WMSDs may be preventable and risks factors minimized if veterinary professionals evaluate their working environment through a method referred to as Participatory Ergonomics.^2,3

Ergonomics and Veterinary Dental Work

What is ergonomics and, specifically, how does it relate to the practice of professional veterinary dentistry? The term ergonomics means “the laws of work.” Ergonomics research focuses on how the human body and mind function in response to the equipment and technology we use in the workplace and adaption disparities regarding all of the elements of our working environment.¹

The AVMA’s Ergonomics Task Force identified risk factors associated with common WMSDs: awkward postures, high-hand force, highly repetitive motions, repeated impact, frequent or awkward lifting and moderate to high hand-arm vibration.²

Veterinary Dentistry Typically Involves:

• Lifting heavy patients above waist height
• Standing or sitting for long periods of time in awkward postures
• Pinch-grasp force while using hand and power instrumentation
• Utilizing vibrating ultrasonic instrumentation
• Highly repetitive motions
• Awkward reaching for equipment and instruments
• Inability to adjust patient to operator
• Inability to sit with neutral spinal position
• Lengthy procedure times
• Poor lighting and magnification

Participatory Ergonomics requires each team member to get involved in recognizing risks and creating clear solutions.^3,4,6-8 In preparation for creating an ergonomic work environment for the veterinary dentistry team, here are some action steps the team can take to improve their overall physical and mental wellbeing.

Action Items

• Gather the information in this list and prepare to make a difference.
• Take several photographs of you and your team working in the dental operatory.
• Obtain a short video during a dental procedure.
• Create a list of the equipment that is required to be in your dental operatory.
• List items that do not need to be around the dental table.
• What side of the dental table do you have your dental unit and instruments on?
• What light source do you use to illuminate the oral cavity while working?
• Describe the chair you have to sit on.
• How many hours per day are you engaged in the practice of dentistry?
• How do you hold the instruments you use?
• Write a description of the handles on your hand and power instruments; what are the diameter, texture and weight of the handles?
• Scheduling of patients and your time, how could that be done differently to minimize risks of WMSD?

In Part 2 of this article, I’ll provide guidance on how we can begin to adjust the work environment by employing Participatory Ergonomics to prevent WMSDs specifically related to the practice of veterinary dentistry.