Clocking In for Better Posture: The Best Clock Positions in Dentistry

If you’ve ever caught yourself twisting or leaning during patient care and felt that familiar ache in your neck or shoulders, you’re not alone. Our positioning when seeing patients can make or break our musculoskeletal health — and the clock positions we work from matter more than most clinicians realize (check the end for a video and more resources).

When possible, aim to do the majority of your work from behind the patient — the 11 to 1 o’clock position. This area allows for the lowest muscle engagement and the best opportunity to maintain neutral posture, which means less fatigue and fewer aches at the end of the day.

Of course, we can’t stay there for every procedure.

Working from 9 o’clock (for right-handed clinicians) or 3 o’clock (for left-handed clinicians) is totally acceptable, as long as you’re “squared up.” That means your head, shoulders, hips, and feet are all facing the same direction — no twisting, no side bending. Alignment is key.

The positions we really want to avoid are 7 and 5 o’clock, also known as the “side-sitting” positions. These tend to happen when your legs point toward the patient’s head while your upper body twists to reach the patient. It’s not always avoidable (we’ve all been there!), but when it happens, be aware of it. Get the job done, then return to a more neutral position as soon as possible.

Perfect ergonomics all the time isn’t realistic — and that’s okay. The goal is to be “as perfect as possible” about 80% of the time so that when you do have to “break neutral” that other 20%, you’ve got enough gas left in the tank. Awareness and balance are everything.

🎥 Watch the video below for a visual breakdown of these positions and posture tips you can start using right away.

👉 Want to take your ergonomics even further? Explore my new online positioning courses,which include free intro videos and an optional membership for deeper learning, community chats, live events, and exclusive discounts.