Ergonomics: Operatory Equipment, Patient/Operator Positioning, Use of the Dental Light

Question 1

What is numbness or tingling associated with?

Answer 1

Nerves

Question 2

What is sharp, localized pain associated with?

Answer 2

Tendon

Question 3

What is fatigue associated with?

Answer 3

Muscles

Question 4

What is a clunk, pop, or crack associated with?

Answer 4

Joint

Question 5

Explain a thoracic sprain

Answer 5

An exaggeration of the normal curve in the mid back from slouching or looking downward

Question 6

Explain rotator cuff tendonitis

Answer 6

Painful inflammation of tendons in shoulder from pointing elbows outward (chicken wings)

Question 7

Explain thoracic outlet syndrome

Answer 7

Painful symptoms of the forearm, wrist, and/or hand due to compression of the brachial nerve plexus between the neck and shoulder caused from looking downward to one side, hunching shoulders, reaching upward.

Question 8

Explain extensor wad syndrome

Answer 8

Painful disorder of the posterior forearm (at elbow) due to injury to the extensor muscles of the thumb and fingers caused from extending the fingers

Question 9

Explain the pronator syndrome

Answer 9

Painful disorder of the hand caused by compression of the median nerve between the two heads of the pronator teres muscle caused by repetitive grasping, especially with the forearm rotated outward

Question 10

Explain carpal tunnel syndrome

Answer 10

Numbness in the fingers (except pinky) caused from poor posture, bending wrist up/down or side to side, gripping instruments for long periods of time

Question 11

Explain ulnar nerve entrapment

Answer 11

Ulnar nerve is trapped which causes numbness in pinky and ring finger caused by bending wrist up/down and side to side and putting pinky out

Question 12

Explain tendonitis

Answer 12

Pain in wrist and outer edges of hands from repeatedly extending hand up and down at the wrist

Question 13

Explain radial styloid tenosynositis

Answer 13

Pain in the thumb side of the hand palm and base of thumb from forceful pinching or wrist deviation

Question 14

Explain trigger finger

Answer 14

Painful inflammation of the tendons at the base of the individual finger in the palm from repetitive pinching and sustained fist. Finger can get locked in place and sometimes bump at base of finger

Question 15

When should you consult a doctor about any pain or discomfort?

Answer 15

If it does not go away after 72 hours

Question 16

What is neutral torso?

Answer 16

Torso is in line with the long axis of the body

Question 17

What is the positioning of the patient when working on the maxillary arch?

Answer 17

Supine-chair back nearly parallel to floor
Patient’s feet slightly higher than tip of nose
Patient’s chin positioned up
Light at an angle

Question 18

What is the positioning of the patient when working on the mandibular arch?

Answer 18

Semi-supine-chair back slightly raised
Feet slightly lower than the nose
Patient’s chin positioned down
Light directly above patient’s head

Question 19

What clock position are you in for working on posterior surfaces towards?

Answer 19

9/8

Question 20

What clock position are you in for working on posterior surfaces away?

Answer 20

10/11

Question 21

What clock position are you in for working on anterior surfaces towards?

Answer 21

9/8

Question 22

What clock position are you in for working on anterior surfaces away?

Answer 22

11-1