What Is Neutral Posture? A Must-Know Ergonomic Tip for Dental Clinicians

Neutral posture in the operatory

Let’s talk about neutral posture—because if you’re a dental clinician, your neck (and your entire career) depends on it.

Neutral posture means your ear is vertically aligned with your shoulder. It’s that simple. When we shift our head forward and down—something many of us do without even realizing—it throws off that alignment and adds unnecessary stress to the spine. In fact, for every inch your head moves forward, it adds an estimated 10 extra pounds of pressure to your cervical spine. That’s like hanging a few bowling balls around your neck all day. Yikes.

This forward head posture is especially common in two places: when we’re working with the wrong loupes and when we’re scrolling on our phones.

Here’s the hard truth: if your loupes force you to crane your head forward or down, they are not ergonomic. A true ergonomic loupe setup allows you to work with your head in a neutral position, keeping your ear stacked directly above your shoulder. If you’re constantly breaking that alignment to see your patient, your neck is paying the price.

And outside of work? Cell phone posture is just as sneaky. Avoid looking down at your lap—whether you're sitting on the couch or standing in line. Instead, prop your elbows on a pillow to raise your phone to eye level when seated, and bend your elbows to lift the phone when standing. These small adjustments help protect your neck and maintain that all-important neutral posture.

We only get one neck, and it needs to last a lifetime. Neck strain is one of the most common reasons dental clinicians leave the op—and often, it’s totally preventable with just a few ergonomic tweaks.

👉Visit my recent Instagram post discussing this with pictures

👉 Want to learn more about how to protect your body while working? Check out my FREE Operator Positioning Course where I break down posture, positioning, and how to work smarter—not harder—every day in the op.