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lead story continued from page 17 21. Gale M, Feather S, Jensen S, et al. A multidisciplinary approach to the design of a work seat to preserve lumbar lordosis. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal. 1989;36(2). 22. Valachi B. Positioning for Success in Dentistry: Essential Ergonomic Guide-lines for the Dental Team DVD. Posturedontics, LLC, Portland, OR 2010. 23. Valachi B. Practice Dentistry Pain-free: Evidence-based Strategies to Pre-vent Pain and Extend Your Career. Portland, Oregon: Posturedontics Press; 2008:31-32. 24. Chaffin D, Andersson G, Martin B. Occupational Biomechanics. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc; 1999:355-391. 25. Ariens G, Bongers P, Douwes M, et al. Are neck flexion, neck rotation, and sitting at work risk factors for neck pain? Results of a prospective cohort study. Occup Environ Med 2001;58:200-207. 26. Morse T, Bruneau H, Michalak-Turcotte C, et al. Musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and shoulder in the dental hygienists and dental hygiene students. J Dent Hyg. 2007;81(1):10. 27. Maillet JP, Millar AM, Burke JM, et al. Effect of magnification loupes on den -tal hygiene student posture. J Dent Educ. 2008;72(1):33-44. 28. Chang B. Ergonomic Benefits of Surgical Telescope Systems: Selection Guidelines. J Calif Dent Assoc. 2002;30(2):161-169. 29. Harrison DD, Harrison SO, Croft AC. et al. Sitting Biomechanics Part 1: Review of the Literature. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1999;22:9:594-609. 30. Mandal AC. The Seated Man: Homo Sedens. Denmark: Dafnia Publications. 32. Hokwerda O, Wouters JA, Ruijter RA, Zijlstra-Shaw S. Ergonomic require-ments for dental equipment. Guidelines and recommendations for design-ing, constructing and selecting dental equipment. May 2006. Available at www.optergo.com/images/Ergonomic_req_april2007.pdf 32. Bendix T. Adjustment of the seated workplace—with special reference to heights and inclinations of seat and table. Dan Med Bull 1987;23(3):125-39. 33. Rucker LM, Sunell S. Ergonomic Risk Factors Associated with Clinical Den-tistry. CDA J 2002;30(2):139-48. 37. 34. Powell BJ, Winkley GP, Brown JO, Etersque S. Evaluating the fit of ambidex -trous and fitted gloves: Implications for hand discomfort. J Am Dent Assoc 1994;125:1235-42. 35. Kroemer KHE, Grandjean E. Fitting The Task To The Human: A Textbook of Occupational Ergonomics. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Taylor and Francis; 1997:2. 36. Novak CB, Mackinnon SE. Repetitive use and static postures: a source of nerve compression and pain. J Hand Ther. 1997;10(2):151-159. Bethany Valachi, PT, MS, CEAS is a physical therapist, dental ergonomic consultant and CEO of Posturedontics ® , a company that provides research-based dental ergonomic education. Clinical instructor of ergonomics at OHSU School of Dentistry in Portland, Ore., she is a member of the National Speakers Association, and lectures internationally at dental meetings, schools, associations and study clubs. She covers the above topics and much more in her book, Prac-tice Dentistry Pain-Free: Evidence-based Strate-gies to Prevent Pain and Extend Your Career , available through www.posturedontics.com. She welcomes comments and may be reached at n bethany@posturedontics.com. Photos used by permission of Posturedontics, LLC. strive continued from page 13 Did this report change how you see yourself as a hygienist? If yes, what will you do in your career to embrace these opportunities? “This report definitely changed how I see myself as a dental hygien -ist,” said Nelson. “Before reading this scan, I felt that I would graduate and work in a traditional private clinical setting. However, the scan has given me hope that dentists and legislators greatly value our clinical abilities. This discussion about expanding dental hygienists’ scope of practice and pushing for a national clinical exam has provided me with the information about the possible future for diverse types of work and a greater control over my own career path.” Nelson said she hopes to complete a master’s degree program and possibly conduct oral health research. “I am unsure about what I plan to pursue in dental hygiene, but research, management, education or company representative are all options that I have explored. I defi -nitely want to embrace some of these opportunities presented in the environmental scan.” Taylor said that the scan did not so much change her perception as motivate her to continue to seek higher education in dental hygiene. “ADHA is a great avenue to start as well as a great tool to keeping members informed,” she said. “Furthering my education will create more opportunities and expand my career responsibility as a licensed hygienist. To embrace these upcoming opportunities, it is vital that I continue to stay active as a student ADHA member and upon gradu-ation, continue membership as an active licensed dental hygienist. Staying informed and being active would allow firsthand opportunities, and would allow me to be a voice to the local community, colleagues and patients on various changes and improvements.” “I feel after reading the scan that it did, in some ways, change my mind about how I see myself as a hygienist,” said Johnson. “The low numbers of the population receiving dental care need to rise, and in order to do so, I feel that educating the public is the most important component. I feel that a big part of the reason people do not receive care is lack of knowledge about how important their oral health truly is. If more people understood the ‘trickling’ effect between oral and overall health, they may be more motivated to access care in some way. I want to go out and educate the public on the importance of dental care and guide them in the right direction to receive care, or better yet bring care to them!” Auerbach, too, said the scan changed her perception of herself as a dental hygienist. “I am more eager to pursue my education in dental hygiene so I can expand my job duties as a licensed hygienist,” she said. “To embrace these upcoming opportunities, I find it imperative that I continue to stay abreast all the current technologies available and continue to research and study all information related to my field so I can educate patients, my peers and myself.” “This report has made me more excited to become a hygienist,” said Noel. “Leadership roles available to a hygienist would be a great way for hygienists to be utilized in other areas. Collaboration with the medical field is where I think a hygienist could serve a true purpose towards education, and providing better access to care for the public/ patient.” Snow said she is extremely excited for the future of dental hy-giene. “Being a little older than the other members of my class, I find this scan reassuring. As I age and become unable to clinically perform on a daily basis, it is wonderful to know I can take on other roles that can impact not only patients, but the dental hygiene profession as well. I hope to one day be a leader to engage other dental hygienists and groups to work towards expanding the scope of practice for den-tal hygienists and increasing the world’s access to dental care.” This edition of Strive was compiled from student essays assigned, col-lected and submitted by Kelly T. Williams, RDH, MSDH, CDA, assistant professor, Thomas Nelson Community College. n 18 JUL 2012 access
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