Description
Dental hygiene is a profession that requires countless intricate skills. Studies show that a high percentage of clinicians have musculoskeletal pain even before entering the workforce. Pain involving the back, neck, shoulders, hand, and wrist are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries in clinical dental professionals. Chiropractic care, therapeutic massage, stress relief strategies, exercise, weight control, breath control, and proper ergonomic equipment are among the top recommended treatment protocols for prevention and/or recovery and reversal of musculoskeletal disorders.
Educational objectives
Upon completion of this course, the dental hygienist should be able to:
1. Assess the need for ergonomic training through dental programs and continuing education courses
2. Identify the most effective preventive techniques to prevent work-related injuries in dentistry
3. Recognize musculoskeletal disorders commonly affecting practicing hygienists
4. Discuss recovery and/or reverse effects of dental-related musculoskeletal injuries
About the Authors
RENEE LIPE, MSED, RDH, is an assistant instructor in the dental hygiene program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Her teaching responsibilities include orientation to dental hygiene, ergonomics training, multicultural studies, instrumentation, assessment clinics, radiology labs, sophomore and junior advanced periodontics clinics, and management at off-site student internships. She has more than 20 years of experience in clinical dental hygiene and management of a public health clinic. Lipe is a member of the American Dental Education Association.
STACEY MCKINNEY, MSED, PHDH, RDH, is an assistant professor and program director in the dental hygiene program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Her teaching responsibilities focus on preventive oral care, teaching methodologies, and advanced periodontics. She has more than 10 years of clinical dental hygiene experience in community-based and general practice. McKinney is a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, Illinois Public Health Association, and American Dental Education Association.
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