Monday, April 10, 2017
Four-handed dentistry refers to a technique in which a dental hygienist or assistant works with the dentist during procedures. Understandably, doing so requires its own set of parameters so all four hands work together effectively throughout the treatment procedure.
The goal? To reduce stress and increase productivity.
Here’s how to make your treatment room’s design work for ergonomic and four-handed dentistry techniques.
Minimize unnecessary motion
Among the most basic tenants of ergonomic and four-handed dentistry is to limit unnecessary motion. After all, any job that requires repetitive movements, prolonged use of the hands and, potentially awkward postures throughout a long work day can lead to everything from early retirement to musculoskeletal disorders.
To combat these risks, dentists and assistants have to be able to work off one another effectively. When the dentist calls for a tool, the other pair of hands has to be there to hand him or her the correct implement. Therefore, the layout of the treatment room must be conducive to a sequential flow. Additionally, the dental chair, equipment, tools and trays must be preset and placed in such a way to follow suit. Plus, the patient and staff should be properly seated in comfortable, ergonomic chairs at the proper height, ideally with the tooth surface at about elbow level or just above.
Think about room size and layout
The treatment room needs to cater to four-handed dentistry, so first you and your assistant need enough space to comfortably move around the patient. When designing the space, you should have two points of entry in each treatment room so the assistant can enter and exit the room as needed.
The work area around the patient should be divided into four zones: the operator’s, the assistant’s, the instrument transfer and the static zone. Presuming your staff is right-handed, the operator’s zone should be from 7 to 12 o’clock, the assistant’s zone from 2 to 4 o’clock, the instrument transfer zone from 4 to 7 o’clock and the static zone from 12 to 2 o’clock.
Chose the right dental unit
To properly, comfortably and effectively practice ergonomic and four-handed dentistry, be sure you think through the selection of your dental unit, dental unit components, mobile cabinets, patient chairs and fixed cabinetry to ensure they will meet — rather than complicate — your goals.
It’s important to remember delivery systems aren’t one size fits all. They’re suited to different body sizes, dental specialties and operatory layouts. For example, rear delivery requires an assistant with expertise in true four-handed dentistry; otherwise, the dentist will have to twist to retrieve instruments and handpieces. Although side delivery is arguably better from an ergonomic standpoint, it limits productivity because it prevents an assistant from fully performing duties. If you have a long torso, over-the-patient delivery is ideal for ergonomics; otherwise, you’ll find yourself reaching upward, increasing the risk of shoulder injury.
The bottom line? Think it through. Everything you use needs to be in the optimal position (elbow level or a few inches above), at the right distance, and in your line of vision so you can maintain a balanced work posture.
To decide what solutions ultimately are best for you, it’s wise to visit a few dental showrooms. Consider doing so on your own first; this way, you can peruse your options without interruption. After taking a step back, revisit them with team members so you can take other considerations into account.
Additionally, consider attending trade shows, as they provide the opportunity to test set-ups and ask questions of manufacturers and representatives. Again, including team members is wise so you ensure nothing and no one is overlooked. Finally, don’t hesitate to reach out to dental industry experts for their take. Practice management experts have been there, done that. Many are willing to share their successes and failures.
Fully considering techniques and trying out solutions firsthand will ensure your treatment space helps you work more comfortably and productively, as well as helps you avoid musculoskeletal complications and undue fatigue.