Don’t forget ergonomics when buying equipment

Too often dentists, who are clinical experts, are mesmerized by equipment features and options, not to mention the price of their

dental equipment.

 

Why are ergonomics important?

Dentistry is a physically demanding occupation involving long hours chair-side working over the patient. Many dentists develop back and neck complaints as a direct result of poor work positions. This may affect their productivity and enjoyment of dentistry and shorten their working life. Most often this is the result of poor design of the dentist stool and the patient’s chair.

 

Dental assistants who have to bend and twist—or get up constantly from their position to reach materials are also at risk of fatigue and other workplace injury, compared to those who materials and instruments are within easy reach from a seated position.

 

In recognition of this, A-dec has developed dentist’s and assistant’s stools and work surfaces, together with patient chairs and operatory furniture to maximize ergonomic efficiency.

 

Back to basics

Dental staff should maintain a work position where their forearms and upper legs are parallel to the floor and their back is supported. In the case of the assistant, who must be seated higher and therefore has to lean forward, a front torso support arm is required, together with a foot support ring, like that fitted to the A-dec assistant’s stool, to alleviate back strain.

 

Often patient chair design prevents dentists working in an ideal position, especially if the chair has a thick backrest or if it cannot be positioned low enough for shorter or more petite operators.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In recognition of this, the A-dec® 500 and A-dec® 300 chairs have ultra-thin contoured backrests which give extra legroom, enabling dentists to position the oral cavity several centimetres lower and closer to their lap for an optimum working position.

 

The A-dec 500 also features a ‘gliding’ headrest that automatically follows the motion of the patient when the chair is raised and lowered, meaning fewer adjustments for the operator and more comfort for the patient. A-dec’s unique double articulating headrest is easily adjusted to provide optimum access to the oral cavity and to suit patients with varying needs, including those with disabilities. Similarly, the armrest needs to remain comfortable during recline and should be easily reached by the dentist and moved out of the way for better

patient access.

 

Complementing the patient chair and dentist and assistant’s stools, is a range of A-dec Preference™ dental furniture designed to streamline materials management throughout the dental surgery and sterilization area.

 

For help in selecting equipment suitable for your practice, contact A-dec for a free copy of their useful booklet: What To Look For When Buying Dental Equipment available by phoning A-dec Australia toll-free on 1800 225 010.