Videos aim to prevent MSDs among dental hygienists

Sacramento, CA – A new series of informational videos is intended to help prevent musculoskeletal disorders among dental hygienists.

The California Department of Public Health’s Occupational Health Branch developed the videos in collaboration with the Ergonomics Program at the University of California, Berkeley, and the California Dental Hygienists’ Association.

The five videos range from three to five minutes. They include:

• “Introduction to musculoskeletal disorders”
• “Posture and positioning: Practicing dental hygiene in the real world”
• “Instruments: Choosing the best and keeping them sharp”
• “Loupes: Looking closely at our choices”
• “Scheduling and strengthening: Helping our bodies to prevent injury”

Busy schedules and repetitive-motion tasks can make dental hygienists vulnerable to MSDs that cause pain in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck and back, Dr. David M. Rempel, director of UC Berkeley’s Ergonomics Program, wrote in an accompanying report.

“Dental hygienists should not accept job-related pain as ‘just part of the job,’” Rempel wrote. “When ignored, MSD symptoms can become persistent and severe enough that they can shorten a hygienist’s career. Relatively simple changes to work practices can prevent and alleviate MSDs.”