If you ask most people if they want to lose weight, they would say yes, but in actuality, they’re looking to lose fat. The one thing...

I recently ran a poll on Instagram asking people's biggest ergonomic concern. The response I saw more than anything else? Patient Positioning. Don't worry, I have solutions for you! If you're anything like me, you love a nice, supportive cushion. But did you know that using patient cushions while providing dental care will help your patient be more comfortable and cooperative while enhancing your ergonomics and posture? When discussing ergonomic patient positioning, it's all

Many dental professionals have extremely tight and rigid trapezious muscles (specifically the upper traps) and oftentimes, develop pain in this area known as trapezius myalgia (TM). The pain could be when they are working (prepping or scaling teeth, for example) or chronically during the day/night. Many of us have also developed trigger points in the traps, further causing localized and referred pain and reduced range of motion. Why is this? There are many reasons for TM; pre

Indirect vision isn’t just a technique—it’s a cornerstone of ergonomic and effective dentistry. Whether you’re a seasoned clinician or...

When I'm assessing clinicians who polish, one standard recommendation I have is to try polishing first. Why? In my experience, it is a...

Bookmark this post! Lots of tips here: Ergonomics is a complex topic with many factors. So I have simplified things down to the top 5...

With St Patty's Day just around the corner, the word "pinch" comes to mind. Hopefully, you will remember your green this year and not get...

Bookmark this post! Lots of tips here: Ergonomics is a complex topic with many factors. So I have simplified things down to the top 5...

When discussing ergonomic patient positioning, it's all about controlling the occlusal planes. We want the occlusal plane to be AT LEAST 10-20° behind the vertical plane for the maxillary arch. This looks like the patients chin tipped wayyyyyy up. For the lower arch, we want the maxillary occlusal plane IN FRONT of the vertical plane. This looks like having the patient nod their chin towards their chest. Learn more about patient positioning in my Straight Up With Steph Podcas

Are you aware of the risk of hearing loss among dental clinicians? Working in dentistry comes with its own set of challenges, and one...

Many people spend long hours sitting in front of a computer every day, which can be taxing on the body. This sedentary work can lead to...

Do you spend long hours at your desk, hunched over a computer screen? If so, you're not alone. Poor posture can lead to discomfort, pain,...

I It's no secret that we spend significant time glued to our smartphones and laptops. The average person spends hours each day scrolling,...

How often or how long are you sitting each day? Many of us often spend hours on end sitting. The hours add up whether we are treating...

Sitting for extended periods during dental work can be hazardous, leading to musculoskeletal issues and reduced productivity....

I recently created a post for social media on "rock-hard traps," and I decided to write a short blog to expand on this topic. Many dental...

When we are talking about ergonomics and reducing the chance of injury, oftentimes, we are talking about very MINOR adjustments and...

Remember learning about the "chicken-wing" in school? Do you have it while working on patients? This is a common ergonomic issue I see...

How many hours do you spend on your cell phone daily? Sources say we spend to 3 hours on our phones daily. That's a lot of time to be on...

Ergonomics is a complex topic with many factors. So I have simplified things down to the top 5 most common ergonomic mistakes I see in...