Dental Assistant Ergonomics: 7 Ways to Reduce Pain and Protect Your Body

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 realized how hard it is on the body and how impossible ergonomics can seem.

If you're a dental assistant, good ergonomics isn't just about “sitting up straight.” Your positioning, equipment, patient positioning, operatory setup, and even how you work with the dentist can all affect how your body feels at the end of the day.

Here are some of the biggest things I want dental assistants—and the dentists working with them—to think about.

1. Get HIGH Enough

One of the first things I look at with dental assistants is stool height.

Assistants generally need to sit higher than the operator to gain visibility into the oral cavity without constantly leaning forward or bending sideways to see around the dentist.

But getting higher only works if your stool supports you there. Your feet shouldn't be dangling! An assistant stool with a properly adjusted foot ring gives your feet somewhere to rest and helps stabilize your body.

Take the time to adjust your stool before the procedure begins, every time. Make sure the foot ring, arm bar, and backrest all support you in neutral posture. If you're perched on the edge, leaning sideways, or hanging one foot off the stool to support yourself, something needs to change.

Also, let's talk about the arm (belly) bar. Many times, I see assistants leaning/hunching over this, which is the opposite of what's best for your body. We want to be UPRIGHT as much as possible. Instead of having the arm bar in front of you, try moving it to the side, so it can support your arm without tempting you to lean over it. If you're close enough to the patient using the tips in this post, you shouldn't need to lean or hunch over that bar as much.

Your equipment should adjust to your body—not the other way around.

2. Move the Patient Before You Move Your Spine

I say this all the time: Bring the patient to you instead of bringing your body to the patient.

This applies to assistants just as much as it does to dentists and hygienists.

If you can't see, your first instinct may be to lean closer. Instead, ask yourself: Can the chair come higher? Can the patient move farther back in the headrest? Can they turn their head? Does the headrest need to be adjusted?

Small changes in patient positioning can make a HUGE difference in your posture. I cover exactly how to position your patient between the upper and lower arches in my patient positioning course.

And dentists—your assistant should be part of this conversation. The patient needs to be positioned so both clinicians can work comfortably. Your good ergonomics shouldn't come at the expense of your assistant's body. Make sure you're both set up for success before you begin the procedure.

Something I recommend that makes people giggle sometimes is interlocking your legs. It may be uncomfortable at first, but the truth is, the closer you both are to each other and the patient ensures you both will have better posture and visibility.

3. Look at How Much You're Twisting/Reaching

Think about how many times an assistant rotates between the patient, dentist, tray, delivery system, drawers, materials, and equipment during ONE procedure.

Now multiply that by an entire day.

If you are constantly twisting or reaching behind yourself, don't just tell yourself to “have better posture.” Look at your environment.

Can frequently used items be moved closer? Can the tray be repositioned? Can you prepare more materials ahead of time? Can you turn your entire body or stool rather than repeatedly twisting through your spine? Can you stand more which makes pivoting easier rather than twisting from the low back constantly?

If you're making the same awkward movement dozens—or even hundreds—of times every day, you may have a workflow or operatory setup problem, not a posture problem.

4. Pay Attention to Your Suctioning Arm

Holding suction may not seem physically demanding, but prolonged static muscle contractions can become incredibly fatiguing. That HVE cord is heavy!

Watch what happens to your shoulder when you're using the HVE. Does it creep toward your ear? Is your elbow floating away from your body? Are you bending your wrist or gripping the suction harder than necessary?

Try to keep your shoulders relaxed, your elbows closer to your body, and your wrist as neutral as possible.

Also pay attention to the suction hose itself. If you're constantly fighting the weight or pull of the hose, look at whether it can be repositioned or supported differently. Try tucking it under your arm to reduce the pull, or invest in a cord management device.

Tiny amounts of unnecessary force don't feel like much for five minutes. They feel very different after eight hours a day, four or five days a week, year after year.

5. Four-Handed Dentistry Should Help BOTH of You

Four-handed dentistry is supposed to improve efficiency and ergonomics. But that only works when the dentist and assistant actually function as a team.

Predictable instrument transfers, consistent tray setups, good communication, and having materials ready before they're needed can reduce unnecessary reaching, twisting, and scrambling.

Dentists also need to be aware of the assistant's working space.

If your assistant has to contort their body around you to suction, retract, or transfer an instrument, something needs to change.

Ergonomics is a team sport!

6. Stop Searching for the “Perfect” Posture

You can sit in beautiful neutral posture and still become uncomfortable if you stay there long enough.

All the posture experts say:

Your best posture is your next posture.

Change positions throughout the day. Sit for some procedures and stand when it makes sense. Shift your position during longer appointments. Take advantage of natural breaks to stand up, move your shoulders, open your chest, or stretch your forearms.

I love encouraging dental professionals to work toward a combination of sitting and standing rather than spending the entire clinical day in one position.

Our bodies are designed to move.

7. Build a Body That Can Handle Dentistry

Ergonomics doesn't stop when you leave the operatory.

Dentistry is physical work. We need strong backs, shoulders, hips, legs, and cores to tolerate the demands we're placing on our bodies every day.

Strength training, mobility, movement throughout the day, adequate recovery, and addressing discomfort early can all help build a more resilient body. Students in my Premium Posture Club are getting workout tips and exercises to help build a strong body.

And please don't wait until discomfort becomes debilitating pain before making changes.

Dental Assistants Deserve Good Ergonomics, Too

Dental assistants are incredibly valuable members of the dental team, yet their ergonomics can easily become an afterthought.

You shouldn't have to twist yourself into a pretzel because that's the only way you can see. You shouldn't have to spend eight hours reaching behind yourself because that's where the equipment happens to be. And you shouldn't have to sacrifice your body so someone else can work comfortably.

Sometimes improving ergonomics requires changing your posture—but often, it requires changing what's around you.

Adjust the stool. Move the patient. Reposition the equipment. Change the workflow. Communicate with your dentist. Move your body.

Because pain shouldn't be considered part of the job description.

You only get one body. Let's make sure it lasts longer than your career does.

Want to get personalized help with your ergonomics? Check out my assessments where I help individuals and teams figure out their ergonomics in their unique office and operatory.

I have on-demand courses and Posture Club where you can learn ergonomics at your own pace too!