Dental practitioners are particularly prone to upper body injury due to the nature of their work. As many as 70% of dentists surveyed report musculoskeletal pain in the back, neck, shoulders, and arms. Surveys and studies from as far back as 1945 consistently find that the most common hazards in dentistry are back pain (44%,) muscle aches (33%,) and neck pain (28%.) Further, 81% of hygienists complain of back and shoulder pain, and an investigation into attrition of dental hygienists found that 1 in 5 leave the dental field due to disability. 1 A 1987 study estimated the impact of lower back pain among dentists at over 1.3 million cancelled appointments, at a cost of more than $41 million per year. More recent estimates, based on increases in dental costs, and the increase in the number of practicing dentists, puts the impact at over $200 million per year. 2
A recent survey of Wisconsin dentists shows that 83% have experienced back pain, with 28% reporting that back pain has interfered with patient treatment. 35% have sought medical treatment, and 30% report that back pain interferes with daily living or recreational activities. 42% would be interested in purchasing a supporting device that would alleviate or prevent pain if it did not interfere with work movement. 3
The literature on lower back pain among dentists consistently points to several factors to manage lower back risk: general fitness, proper tool design, and proper posture and support while working. To date the element of posture has been addressed through education and design of chairs providing lumbar support from behind the practitioner. Myoelectric and stress testing shows, however, that support from in front of the practitioner is far more effective in reducing the stresses that occur in the inclined position. 4
The AnterioRest is a revolutionary approach to the prevention and treatment of lower back injury. The concept of Back Support From the Front™ applies research findings which suggest that anterior support is far more effective than posterior support in reducing muscle stress. The AnterioRest attaches to the back of the dental chair, and terminates in a small cushion against which the dentist leans, thus freeing her arms and hands for stress free manipulation of tools. The supporting arm can be moved through a complete 360-degree range of motion, making positioning infinite. In field tests, the AnterioRest has been instrumental in significantly alleviating back pain, allowing a return to comfortable living and productivity. Excerpts from test subject responses include the following:
“This device will be a great asset to dental professionals and will prevent many practitioners from experiencing the common complaint of back pain due to positional strain. I can easily see the value in a device such as this and hope that I can have one available for all of my dental chairs at my office. Thank you for your contribution to the profession.”
“Treating Patients ten hours daily for the past twenty-nine years in an essentially hunched over posture had rendered my back muscles riddled with stiffness, soreness, and ever more frequent episodes of overt pain. My resignation was that this was a condition with which I would just have to deal and that when it worsened enough, I would concede to early retirement. Indeed, even my financial planning revolved about this dreary mindset.
Four months ago your technician installed the AnterioRest on my operator chairs…the AnterioRest permits me to position myself over my patients in treatment posture while leaning my upper torso against an immovable cushion…my static back symptoms have been largely abated. While most improvement occurred during the first two weeks, a steady, albeit slower, rate of improvement has continued to present. My static back pain symptoms are now attenuated to the degree that I am pain free at work.”
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