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In this Series, we have examined how to improve efficiency in veterinary dentistry by Part 1: Reviewing your instruments, Part 2: Maintaining your instruments, Part 3: Investing in your Team and Part 4: Improving Workflow. Our last post discussed how an audit of your dental workspace can help improve workflow and some simple changes that can make a big difference – from streamlining processes and optimising your workspace to even a simple task like sorting your dental instruments.
In Part 5, the focus is on playing it safe by introducing good ergonomic principles while performing dental procedures to reduce stress and fatigue.
Ergonomics is defined as the application of knowledge addressing the interactions between humans and the working environment (including atmosphere, heat, light and sound) as well as the tools and equipment used in the workplace. It involves the factors that affect our body’s movements and responses to the forces of specific tasks.
According to AVMA Veterinary Ergonomic Guidelines, risk factors that could lead to veterinary staff experiencing a musculoskeletal injury include sitting in awkward postures (eg neck bent at 30o; sustained position for extended periods of time) and highly repetitive motions (eg same motion with neck, shoulders, wrists or hands with little to no variation) and gave dentistry as examples of where these risks can occur.
So, let’s look at how to improve the ergonomics in your dental suite.
The time spent treating dental conditions in your patients is ever-increasing, so it is vital to build good habits that ensure ergonomic work practices.
If you need help to ensure your dental equipment is as ergonomic as possible, contact the iM3 team, as we have a range of equipment and instruments that will improve the safety of both your team and your patients. We’re always happy to advise on the best equipment to suit the needs of your team.
For over 15 years Maggie has worked in small animal general practice and we’re sure she’s a familiar face to many in the industry. Her passion for dentistry led to her obtaining the Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Dental) and the Veterinary Technician Specialty VTS (Dentistry). Maggie has experience in General Practice Dentistry as well as in Specialty practice having conducted nurse dental clinics and assisting in both general and advanced specialty procedures. As an experienced and qualified trainer, Maggie has provided training in dentistry to veterinary teams both domestically and internationally and brings her contagious passion for dentistry to her role at iM3 in providing training and support to our clients.
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