Maintaining a Balanced Posture by Dentists—A Challenge of the Current Practice

Abstract

(1) Background: Dentistry is acknowledged as being particularly physically demanding, considering access difficulty and visibility of the operating field. The issue of posture is frequently discussed in the literature due to its significant contribution in the etiology of musculoskeletal disorders, but never enough to encourage all dentists to adopt safe, healthy working positions. (2) Methods: This article presents the arguments that justify the attention needed to be paid to the balanced posture recommended to dentists and goes further and outlines a logical model that could help in maintaining a balanced posture as much as possible during the therapeutic act. Describing the balanced posture alone has a limited practical utility, and thus we have detailed the aspects that involve the spatial relationship of the doctor with the patient sitting on the dental chair. (3) Results: An optimal working distance and postural symmetry are the main objectives to be considered, each of them being conditioned by several elements. These elements have been detailed throughout the article, always taking into account the realities of the daily practice, with its challenges and limitations. (4) Conclusions: A greater attention paid to maintaining the optimal working position provides doctors the chance to perform their activity in comfortable and safe conditions.