Preventing WMSDs and Pain in Dentistry: Tip 4
This chapter focuses on the fourth tip to manage some of the risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders detailed in the What are Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders? chapter. Additional tips can be found in the previous three chapters and following chapter.
Tip 4: Establish a Well-Balanced Work Routine
Another area that may contribute to WMSDs and pain is having a work routine that is not well balanced between the number of patients, types of procedures performed, and number of breaks offered. One of the primary reasons that dental professionals sustain musculoskeletal injuries is for these reasons listed above. As a current School of Dentistry student, it is important to be mindful of these different factors that may contribute to musculoskeletal injuries and develop a consistent work (or clinical) routine that is best for you to avoid any unnecessary pain or injury.
Listed below are a few tips to establish a well-balanced routine in the dental clinic:
- Take microbreaks for rest and stretching
- Engage in daily stretching and strengthening exercises
- Manage caseload and refrain from completing back-to-back procedures that require extraneous movements and sustained awkward positioning (primarily for DDS/DT/Advanced Ed students who perform procedures)
- Continue to move your body when working to improve blood flow and reduce risk of muscle shortening