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Do You Polish First?
When I'm assessing clinicians who polish, one standard recommendation I have is to try polishing first. Why? In my experience, it is a...
Steph Botts
Jun 13, 20242 min read


5 Habits That Hurt Dental Clinicians
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...
Steph Botts
Mar 29, 20242 min read


How Dental Clinicians Get Pinchy
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...
Steph Botts
Mar 13, 20242 min read


5 Habits That Are Killing Your Body
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...
Steph Botts
Feb 2, 20242 min read


A Solution for Patient Positioning
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
Steph Botts
Jan 15, 20241 min read


Is It Loud in Here?
Are you aware of the risk of hearing loss among dental clinicians? Working in dentistry comes with its own set of challenges, and one...
Steph Botts
Dec 26, 20232 min read


Wait, how do I set up my office?
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...
Steph Botts
Dec 7, 20232 min read


Ergo Tips for Computer Users
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,...
Steph Botts
Nov 8, 20232 min read


The Hidden Dangers of Text Neck
I It's no secret that we spend significant time glued to our smartphones and laptops. The average person spends hours each day scrolling,...
Steph Botts
Sep 26, 20232 min read


The Health Hazard You Do Daily
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...
Steph Botts
Aug 25, 20232 min read


Striking a Balance: The Dental Dance between Sitting and Standing!
Sitting for extended periods during dental work can be hazardous, leading to musculoskeletal issues and reduced productivity....
Steph Botts
Jul 27, 20232 min read


Rock-hard Traps?
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...
Steph Botts
Jul 24, 20232 min read


A Word About Mirrors
When we are talking about ergonomics and reducing the chance of injury, oftentimes, we are talking about very MINOR adjustments and...
Steph Botts
Jul 6, 20232 min read


Got Chicken-Wing? I've Got Tips:
Remember learning about the "chicken-wing" in school? Do you have it while working on patients? This is a common ergonomic issue I see...
Steph Botts
Jun 19, 20231 min read


How Is Your Cell Phone Posture?
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...
Steph Botts
Jun 12, 20232 min read


Top 5 Ergonomic Mistakes
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...
Steph Botts
Jun 3, 20232 min read


Do you REALLY need your mirror?
Indirect vision: this is a hard skill to learn and is so tempting not to do. How many times have we said "oh, I'll just do this real...
Steph Botts
May 30, 20232 min read


Cushions and Positioning
If you're anything like me, you love a nice, supportive cushion. But did you know that using patient cushions while providing dental care...
Steph Botts
May 18, 20231 min read


Struggling with Patient Positioning?
Many of us struggle with this from time to time (or more often), and it can be challenging to say the least. We have anxious patients,...
Steph Botts
Apr 28, 20231 min read


Ergonomics and Your Bottom Line
Dental ergonomics is a crucial aspect of the dental profession that is often overlooked but can make or break your bottom line. The term...
Steph Botts
Apr 25, 20231 min read
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