October is National Dental Hygiene Month (wahooooo)! While we spend a lot of time celebrating the profession, I think it’s also the perfect reminder to celebrate—and take care of—the body that allows you to do this work every day. Let this be your guide for your top ergo must-haves👇 Dental hygiene is physically demanding. The repetitive movements, awkward patient positioning, pinch force, reaching, twisting, and long hours in static postures can add up over a career (I know

Pregnancy changes your body—and it may need to change the way you work in the operatory, too. A stool you once loved may suddenly feel uncomfortable. Getting close to your patient can become more difficult. Your back, wrists, hips, and pelvis may fatigue faster. You may experience dizziness when standing or reaching overhead. Instead of pushing through discomfort, your ergonomics should adapt along with your body. Here are eight tips for staying more comfortable during pregna

When we talk about ergonomics in dentistry, a lot of the conversation focuses on dentists and dental hygienists. But dental assistants are right there beside us—often twisting, reaching, suctioning, retracting, passing instruments, and trying to see around another person for hours every day. And sometimes, the assistant ends up with whatever space is left. I didn't start as an assistant before hygiene school, and I am the WORST assistant ever! The times I've tried, I have rea

If you’ve ever finished a long day with a sore neck, tight shoulders, or aching wrists—you’re not alone. One of the biggest (and most overlooked) contributors to that discomfort isn’t just posture… it’s how long we stay still. As dental clinicians, we spend hours in static positions. Whether it’s a forward head tilt, rounded shoulders, or that all-too-familiar “chicken wing” arm, our muscles are often stuck in isometric contraction—working hard without movement. Over time, th

If you’re dealing with hand, wrist, or even elbow pain after a long day in the operatory, there’s a good chance pinch and grip force are playing a bigger role than you think. As dental clinicians, we’re constantly holding something—mirrors, scalers, suction, polishers—and over time, even small amounts of excessive force add up. The result? Fatigue, inflammation, and eventually injury if we don’t make changes. The good news: small adjustments can make a huge difference. Before

If polishing is your least favorite part of the appointment, you're not alone—I used to dread it too. Between the splatter, awkward positioning, and constantly refilling the prophy cup, it always felt more chaotic than it needed to be. But over the years, I made a few simple changes that completely transformed how I polish. It's now faster, cleaner, more ergonomic, and honestly... a lot less frustrating. 🎥 Before you dive in, watch my quick video below where I demonstrate th

🎥 Before you read: I put together a complete video tutorial demonstrating exactly how I use my three favorite hands-free suction devices 👇 You'll see how each device is placed with a patient and why I believe hands-free suction is one of the easiest ergonomic upgrades you can make in dentistry. Watch the video first, then keep reading for the "why" behind it 👇 If you're still holding the HVE or saliva ejector every time you use your power scaler, polisher, handpiece, or pl

🎥 Before you keep reading, be sure to watch my YouTube video below where I walk you through exactly how to adjust your dental stool for better posture, positioning, and comfort. Proper stool setup can make a huge difference in reducing strain on your back, neck, and shoulders—and it's much easier to understand when you can see it in action. ⬇️ Watch the video below, then come back for the science behind why it matters. When most dental professionals think about buying an er

If you've been waiting for the perfect time to upgrade your ergonomic setup, my Christmas in July Sale is here—but before you shop, here are the products I personally use every day and why they've earned a permanent place in my operatory. As a dental hygienist with nearly 20 years of clinical experience and a Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist, I get asked all the time: "What products actually make a difference?" There are plenty of products with flashy marketing, but

Few topics create more heated discussions in dentistry right now than the hygienist shortage. Before we go any further, these are my opinions. It's completely okay if you disagree. Can There Be a Shortage and a Retention Problem? Personally, I believe there is a hygienist shortage. And a dentist shortage. And an assistant shortage (but I digress). I also believe there are practices struggling with retention because of poor systems, lack of support, burnout, physical strain, l