The Ergonomic Principles Underpinning Dental Equipment
- What do we mean when we say ‘dental ergonomics’?
- What are the ergonomic principles underpinning dental equipment?
- How do LM dental instruments embody dental ergonomics?
What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Dental Ergonomics’?
Ergonomics, by definition, centres around the scientific study of arranging and designing a workplace, product or system to suit the individual who will be using them. When applied to dentistry, this includes optimising the dental practice environment to reduce physical strain and discomfort experienced by dental practitioners. This helps to prevent issues such as repetitive strain injuries, continuously being in awkward positions for long hours, work-related musculoskeletal disorders, neck pain caused by working posture and carpal tunnel syndrome. Dental ergonomics reduces the risk factors associated with repetitive movements, helping to prevent injury and, in the worst case, early retirement. A dental team in any practice is not just composed of a dentist; there will also be a dental assistant, dental hygienists, and even dental students still in dental school. By ensuring proper posture and optimal patient care during treatment, all of these individuals can benefit from good ergonomics. Patients also benefit from good ergonomics.
What Are The Ergonomic Principles Underpinning Dental Equipment?
The concepts of dental ergonomics and ergonomic principles are quickly permeating dental practices and dental school. In essence, the ergonomic principles can be summarised in 3 words: comfort, efficiency and support. One example is the utilisation of advanced dental chairs (ergonomic dental chairs) with customisable support features to prevent musculoskeletal pain and ensure dentist and patient comfort. Using an adjustable chair prevents awkward positions and helps ensure good posture while working, which helps to prevent musculoskeletal pain and musculoskeletal disorders before they develop. This is the reason that has motivated the design of highly advanced ergonomic dental chairs. Properly aligned lighting systems to reduce eye strain are also an example of dental ergonomics. Another example is the use of ergonomically designed dental instruments that enable precise and comfortable handling. This is where LM dental instruments come in.
How Do LM Dental Instruments Embody Dental Ergonomics?
LM Dental, the ultimate pioneer in ergonomic dentistry of our time, has designed its dental hand instruments to ensure the comfort and efficiency of dental professionals and dental hygienists. This, paraphrased from their website, is achieved by considering 3 design factors:
- A non-slip natural grip, enabled by LM’s soft and hygienic silicone handle
- Lightweight and optimised design that prevents physical strain and injury
- Easy instrument handling and good tactile sensitivity
These 3 design factors help ensure the comfort of dental professionals by considering not just the use of the instrument, but how it can impact the efficiency and productivity of the dental professional and dental procedures in general. Dentists and other dental professionals spend a large amount of time holding dental instruments, which makes the weight and feel of these instruments in their hands incredibly important. Long hours mean that instruments and working posture are crucial. Without good ergonomics, dental professionals are exposed to risk factors that may cause carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as other aforementioned issues and physical strain, i.e. neck pain and early retirement, etc. LM’s embodiment of ergonomic principles helps ensure the comfort of dental hygienists, dentists, their dental assistants, and dental students at every stage of dental procedures, patient care, and treatment. LM instruments work well alongside other ergonomic solutions, such as ergonomic dental chairs, to protect your dental team and ensure optimal patient comfort.
For more information about dental ergonomics, or how the LM dental instruments that we stock and distribute embody dental ergonomics, you can also contact us by clicking here or by calling our team of experts on 01438 747344.