Instructor pointing to the base of the skull on a skeleton model.

Do you end each workday hunched over in discomfort? An estimated 74% of dentists suffer from musculoskeletal pain, according to the American Dental Association.

But dentistry doesn’t have to be a pain in the neck.

In a new Spear Online course, registered hygienist Lani McBeth – a key opinion leader on dental ergonomics – discusses how to deliver top patient care without sacrificing the health of your spine. She provides a detailed overview of how to design and arrange workspaces to increase efficiency and productivity while reducing discomfort.

In “The Ergonomic Woes of the Dental Professional,” you’ll learn how to identify signs and symptoms of common injuries and get tips on how to design and adjust the operatory or front desk to prevent your team from added physical pain.

“How you sit, stand and move at work directly impacts your career’s longevity,” said McBeth, an R.D.H. and clinical educator from Littleton, Colorado.

“Respecting ergonomic principles is important to preventing career-ending injuries,” she said.

The new, CE-eligible course offers simple stretches for doctors, hygienists, front desk and other practice team members, in addition to information about devices that assist in enhancing comfort and safety.

The course will leave Spear Online members more confident in their ability to:

  • Identify the risks and common injuries in the dental environment
  • Employ techniques to prevent injury inside and outside the operatory
  • Recognize ergonomic technology to enhance safety and prolong careers
  • Recall new-to-market devices that assist in enhancing clinician comfort and safety

“The Ergonomic Woes of the Dental Professional” includes eight lessons:

  • The Dental Environment
  • Occupational Injuries: Neck
  • Occupational Injuries: Low Back
  • Occupational Injuries: Wrists
  • Occupational Injuries: Shoulders & Related Disorders
  • Ergonomic Solutions: Seating
  • Ergonomic Solutions: Loupes
  • Ergonomic Solutions: Dental Instruments & Other Equipment