How can you protect your back, neck, shoulders, and hands for a long and healthy career?
– by Dr. Bethany Valachi –
“My neck pain is 70% gone, but now I have a different type of ache– just below my occiput.”
I hear it again and again when working with dentists and hygienists with the new prismatic deflection loupes. But how could this be, with such an incredibly steep declination angle (up to 60 degrees) that promotes nearly neutral head posture?The problem lies in the lower arch. Positioning the patient in the semi-supine position works great when wearing regular loupes. However with a very steep declination angle, the prismatic deflection loupes wearer is oftentimes forced to tilt their head slightly backward to view the mandibular arch.
This head position results in sustained contracture of the suboccipital muscles, which can cause a dull headache or pain below the occiput.
The answer is in the patient chair. When working with prismatic deflection loupes, my standard recommendation of semi-supine position (backrest elevated 20 degrees from the true supine) for the lower arch is no longer the best option. For most of the teeth in the lower arch, the most neutral head posture when wearing prismatic deflection loupes will be obtained with the backrest elevated only 10 degrees or so from the supine.
Tilting the head slightly backward when viewing the lower arch is due to a common positioning mistake that can lead to neck pain.
EVEN THE MOST ERGONOMIC LOUPES CAN LEAD TO NECK PAIN WITHOUT PROPER PATIENT POSITIONING!
POSITIONING FOR SUCCESS IN DENTISTRY
Online Video Course – Earn 2 CEUs
Avoid damaging postures that can lead to neck and back pain! Learn Dr. Valachi’s evidence-based, proprietary 10-Step Positioning Sequence to ensure proper positioning of operator, patient, chair, stools, loupes, light, assistant, and delivery system–helping you work more comfortably, boost productivity and optimize your loupe investment.
