Modern Hygienist - October 2008 - (Page 27)

ERGONOMIC TRENDS | patients Loupe low-down posture have changed over the years, with the ideal angle moving from 90° to 110° with the hip higher than the knee, says Lori Harman, business director for Posture Perfect Solutions. The Evolution Chair naturally puts the spine in that neutral position, which helps alleviate back and muscle pain on the job. Hygienists sit in awkward positions, and this chair helps balance the muscles and ligaments that stretch and shorten as they adapt to those positions, Harman says. The main part of the chair is a stability ball, which has been a corestrengthener for years. “The spine requires movement to be healthy,” she says. “This chair allows that movement. It corrects the imbalances.” you’re sitting away from the patient, you can see clearly inside the mouth. Tholin expects hygienists—who represent the fastest growing market segment—to continue to look to loupes as an ergonomic light source that can help reduce their daily pain. Loupes are becoming more and more popular with hygienists. Here’s how these angles help alleviate your pain: * * * * INSTRUMENTATION One of the areas Fox has noticed a change in over the years is instrumentation. Grips and size have vastly improved, which makes a big difference. The softer, larger diameter grip for ultrasonic scalers was one of the first advances in ergonomics, says Mark Gersh, Discus Dental’s director of marketing for clinical dentistry. The softer grip creates a cushion and reduces pressure, while different instrument sizes enable hygienists to use different muscle groups. The light on the Protégé ultrasonic scaler is one of the latest advancements in ergonomic instruments, Gersh says, with the next generation set for release in 2009. The Insight from Discus will feature an integrated light in the tip and a swivel capability to enhance its ergonomic benefits. “Parts of the mouth are difficult to light up, even with the overhead light,” Gersh says. “To make sure they have enough light, dental professionals will create a non-neutral body position to avoid the overhead light or keep out of the way of the overhead light. They’ll sacrifice their body to make sure they have sufficient light. The Insight provides a way to eliminate that behavior, which creates strain on the body and the hand.” Steeper angles of declination mean you can tilt the telescopes more, which allows you to keep your neck and back straighter If the angle is not steep enough, you’ll compensate by bending your neck. That adds stress to the spinal cord. The latest loupes are very lightweight, which can beneﬁt your neck and back They allow you to sit further back from the patient and still see what you need to inside the mouth LOVE THOSE LOUPES As hygienists become more educated in ergonomics, they are learning more about how loupes can help, says James Onderak, Director of Marketing for Orascoptic/Surgical Acuity. They’re more in tune with the angle of declination and sitting with correct posture while using the loupes. “They are taking control of their health and their careers by making sure they have proper posture,” Onderak says. “Loupes add to that. Hygienists are sitting up straighter and are requesting longer working distances in their loupes.” Hygienists want 19- to 20-inch working distances and declination angles between 30 and 35 degrees, Onderak says. To accommodate steeper angles, the company has adopted deeper lenses. This gives more lens space to angle the loupes to accommodate a steeper angle of declination. While steep declinations are one of the ergonomic advantages of loupes, they also have a fixed working distance to help alleviate pain, PeriOptix President Keith Tholin says. “If they hunch over the patient, the loupe comes out of focus,” he says. “They have to stay within that focal distance to see. That fixed focal distance promotes better working habits by forcing the hygienist to sit a little further away from the patient.” Loupes also provide magnification, so even if Source: James Onderak, Director of Marketing for Orascoptic/Surgical Acuity and Keith Tholin, President of PeriOptix (perioptix.com) The HiRes Telescopes on a Tortoise Rudy Project frame (top) and HiRes Telescopes on a Victory Frame (bottom). Visit orascoptic.com. WHAT’S NEXT Manufacturers will continue to look for ways to make your daily routine less painful. They’ll have more conversations with hygienists to determine what works and what doesn’t, says Mark Guasp, Director of Marketing for Oral Hygiene and Consumer Products at Discus. Once you find what works, it makes for a happier life inside and outside of the operatory. “It made a big difference for me,” Fox says. “It changes your outlook on things when you don’t have to go to work hurting.” mh http://www.perioptix.com http://www.orascoptic.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Modern Hygienist - October 2008

Modern Hygienist - October 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Letters News Modern Solutions Trends: Homecare Trends: Perio Trends: Ergo Trends: Mid Care After Chemo Professional Rewind Esthetic Expertise: Make or Break Relationship Hands-on Hygiene: Have You Seen the Light? Going the Distance Training for Life Presi-dental Politics Ad Index Moonlighting

Modern Hygienist - October 2008

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