Anyone who has suffered with back pain will tell you that it’s pretty miserable. It can affect your work, sleep and family life to such an extent that even basic tasks can become a struggle.

Just over 70% of healthcare professionals suffer with lower back pain during their career (Cınar-Medeni, Elbasan and Duzgun, 2017). Over the years, practicing dentistry can take its toll; not just affecting the lower back, but also the spine, muscles, ligaments and nerves in the neck, back and limbs. Left untreated, the pain can become increasingly severe, debilitating, and even career-ending.

One of the things that you can do to prevent the aches, pains and extreme discomfort associated with musculoskeletal disorders is to invest in truly supportive and ergonomic dental equipment. Practitioner health and ease of use have been key considerations for A-dec when developing their new A-dec 500 dental chair.

A thin, flexible backrest and with slim upholstery and a cut-away baseplate enable are essential for you to get in close and work in a comfortable position – legs under your patient, elbows at your side. A lightweight and smooth delivery system is necessary for easy and precise placement. Drift control is also an important consideration – if you are in the middle of a procedure, the last thing you need is your instruments and materials drifting far away from you. Choose a delivery system that you know will stay put to avoid disruptive situations and eliminate excess strain on the spine from repeated reaching and lunging for the delivery system.

If you prefer a Continental delivery system, test out your options thoroughly before committing to buy. Make sure that the one you choose has good range of motion and arms that balance the tubing weight to reduce in-procedure resistance and fatigue. A positionable touchpad that tilts and rotates for precise viewing from multiple angles can also be beneficial to reduce neck and eye strain.

Of course, being able to get close to your patient and work ergonomically doesn’t solve all issues; especially those associated with poor posture. Over the years, practicing dentistry can take its toll. If you’ve ever suffered from back pain, you know that it can affect your mood, sleep, work and overall quality of life.

What you may not know is that the design of your dental stool can have a direct impact on how your back feels at the end of each working day. Musculoskeletal disorders, particularly ischemia and premature disc degeneration, have been connected to how we have been taught to sit; with thighs parallel to the floor and hips at a 90-degree angle. This is probably a legacy of the flat, nonadjustable seats of early dental stool designs.

Research by a physical therapist for Dental Economics found that positioning the hips higher than the knees (for an increased hip angle) reduced lower-back muscle activity and disc pressure. Chairs with a tilting seat were recommended to maintain the natural curve of the lower back. This type of seat design decreased pressure on discs, allowing closer positioning to the patient while reducing lower back pain overall.

If your stool is causing you aches and pains, it may be worth considering a more ergonomic solution. Invest in equipment that make you and your staff comfortable and happy to be there.

A dental stool that promotes healthy posture will provide adjustability, sufficient back and seat support, and dynamic performance. The A-dec 500 dental stool, for example, is specifically designed to flex, form and adjust to your every move, for all-day comfort and support. Created with unique performance zones, the tilting seat section and backrest of the stools flex to the shape of the body, keeping you supported as you shift, lean and work. The contoured backrest also cradles the spine to alleviate pressure, while a tilted seat distributes weight from seat to feet, encouraging blood flow and promoting proper circulation.

Whether you’ve just started to notice the occasional ache, or you’re feeling it every day, better dental equipment could ease your back pain, improve your health and extend the length of your career in dentistry.

If you are suffering from minor back pain or even a severe musculoskeletal disorder, contact DB Dental for a free two-week trial on the A-dec dental stools, which could help to alleviate much of the pain associated with these conditions. Please call 01484 401015 or email sales@dbdental.co.uk.

If you would like to find out more information about the new A-dec 500 dental chair and delivery system, or to make a showroom appointment, get in touch on 01484 401015 or email sales@dbdental.co.uk.