“The point is to eliminate − or at least limit − reaching, twisting and bending,” says Malone. “We can get distracted by whether the pain was caused by an incident, a stress injury, or cumulative trauma disorder (CTD), but it's more important that every practitioner keeps seeking ways to improve how he or she sits and interacts with the equipment and treatment area.”

As a certified ergonomist, Malone is able to observe and assess the doctor's habits and explain better ergonomic positions and how to get the most out of the equipment. The common denominator is finding ways to keep the spine aligned with shoulders, and having elbows fall naturally to the sides. Consider, for instance, the ease in which we keep our arms close while texting on a smartphone.

“Keeping everything close is the ideal,” says Malone. “Every time the doctor leans forward, it causes muscle strain. Getting to the oral cavity, retracting tissue, and moving the neck − while concentrating on a very focused area − means having to work in an unhealthy position.”

Without thinking about it (and without a full understanding of how we expose ourselves to risk), it's human nature to force our bodies to get the work done. “That's the problem,” Malone says. “Instead, practitioners need the work to come to their body, which is why the right equipment is such a significant factor.”

Dr. Henderson couldn't agree more. “Identifying the right equipment served as a catalyst,” says the dentist. “I used my new equipment to relearn patterns that would minimize muscle strain.”

With the help of Patterson, Dr. Henderson installed A-dec 500 chairs equipped with Continental delivery systems, and freed up space by transforming four operatories into three, a solution that created greater efficiency and flow. And by strategically configuring options from the A-dec Preference Collection, the entire dental team was able to work in a dramatically more comfortable and ergonomically conducive environment.