Dental Tribune Canada Edition No.4, 2016

. . A7 Dental Tribune Canada Edition | November 2016 INDUSTRY Elbow your way to better health Dentists, hygienists and dental assist- ants face on a daily basis all of the top conditions needed to develop musculo- skeletal disorders. Dental work requires precision and control in movement — so static positions can result in fatigue in the muscles of the neck, the back and the shoulders. After a few years or even months, the muscle fatigue may cause ailments, pain or even more severe con- ditions, such as tendinitis, bursitis, neck pain, disk herniation and others. If I work with my arms close to my body, can I avoid muscle tension? Even when your arms seem relaxed along your body, the shoulder and upper back muscles have to be contracted to keep the stability required for the precise work of your hands. These muscle contractions can reduce the blood flow up to 90 per- cent, which causes fatigue to accumulate and weaken your muscles and articula- tions. Why use mobile elbow supports? ThePosiflexmobileelbowsupportsystem was developed to diminish the charge to the upper body in order to favor a good bloodstream. A scientific study demon- strated that using the Posiflex system contributes to achieving a more secure and comfortable work posture while sig- nificantly reducing muscle contractions in the shoulders, neck and upper body. This unique concept follows body move- ments. The elbow rests offer an appropri- ate support of the arms while preserving the freedom of movement. Precision work requires concentration and effort. We forget ourselves when we are concentrated on a task. The elbow sup- ports enable practitioners to keep a good posture as they keep you in line. Do I have to always be on the supports to get the benefit? It is not possible to be on the supports 100 percent of the time. The studies demon- strated that with 50 percent of the time on the support, bloodstream is sufficient to prevent and diminish tension. After a short learning curve, the majority of users are on the supports 80 to 90 per- cent of the time. Why invest in a dental stool? Dental professionals can easily spend eight to 12 hours a day on a stool. In fact, it is the piece of equipment you use the most and, generally, it is also the most neglected. You pay attention to your pa- tient comfort, so what about your com- fort and that of your employees? Michelle Fontaine, RDH, demonstrates the ergonomic improvement in her work position enabled in part by her use of Posiflex free-motion elbow supports. Photos/Posiflex Design AD The investment is modest and quickly profitable compared to costs created by medical treatments or leave from work. Do you have to plan long procedures early in the week because your body can’t do it on Thursdays? How should the patient chair be adjusted to keep the practitioner in good posture? Eyes-to-task distance is the key for good posture. When the patient chair is placed low it forces you to bend your neck, even with loupes, creating tensions. Further- more, because of lack of leg room, the operator must straddle the chair or, worse, sit on the tip of the seat. This position does not provide lumbar support or a safe pos- ition. Many speakers and authors favor a higher position of the patient chair with the patient lying flat. The arms stay close to the body and the forearms are flexed. To learn more about ergonomics in the dental clinic, you can visit Posiflex online at www.posiflexdesign.com. (Source: Posiflex Design)

Dental Tribune Canada Edition No.4, 2016

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