Save Your Money Making Hands, Neck, and Back: Tips for Dentist from an Occupational Therapist
- thepredentalguide
- Jul 31
- 4 min read
Welcome back to our ergonomic series where we will provide dental professionals valuable insights from the expertise of an occupational therapist. Today’s post is particularly special as I had the chance to probe the expert mind of my very own occupational therapist as we discuss the interlink between our two disciplines. In getting to know Lindsay, I am so excited to share our passion of helping people thrive through our hands and am thankful for her services that allow me to practice dentistry with longevity and professional satisfaction in mind.
In this blog post, I am thrilled to introduce Lindsay Pimentel, OTR/L, CHT, CWCE, CEAS II, a seasoned occupational therapist and certified hand therapist whose passion lies in healing and empowering others through functional restoration. Born and raised in South Africa, Lindsay moved to the U.S. after completing her occupational therapy degree. She's a mom of three boys, an artist, a former dance teacher, and even an author of a Bible study book. Today, she owns her own practice and specializes in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation, industrial ergonomics, and functional capacity evaluations, making her an ideal guide for dental professionals battling musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). I hope you find her insights as transformative to your dental practice as I have had by reading below!
For readers who are unfamiliar with this profession, how does occupational therapy differ from physical therapy?
Occupational therapists are all about function. They take what’s injured, strengthen the areas and then teach you how to do what you love to do independently and at times through adaptive function. In hand therapy it’s far more intricate and detailed. Creating custom orthoses and adaptive functional devices is also part of our expertise.
What are the most common musculoskeletal issues you treat for dental professionals?
In dentistry, the most common issues are related to the thumbs. Forceful pinching and constant fine motor use of instruments, causes CMC and MCP pain. Wear and tear on joints and ligament over time unfortunately cause many to leave the work profession, retire early or decrease their hours. It is also not uncommon to deal with issues related to posture, neck and upper trapezius pain which can also have an impact on the peripheral nerves in the hands.
(Jenny) To reduce issues related to posture, neck, and upper traps, I highly recommend ergonomic loupes which will limit postural neck flexion. Adopting my clinical practice to regular use of ergonomic loupes has allowed me to gain consistency in my work station set up as I can only see out of a fixed position with memory of proximity to my nearby equipment. It takes discipline but offers immense reward in postural improvements.
What are 3 tips you have for dental professionals to practice ergonomically?
a. Don’t ignore pain.
b. Assess the region bothering you and take care of it.
c. If you don’t know how, seek an OT or an ergonomic specialist to assess your work environment.
- Stretch :Hand, fingers, wrists, shoulders, neck and back (30 seconds) try do at least one body part between patients or every hour or two
- Be Aware of your posture and avoid any static positions for long periods of time. If your position feels unnatural or awkward, remember you need to “fit the task to the man, not the man to the tasks.”
- When possible build up handles or buy instruments that have a larger circumference to decrease the pinch forces required to hold onto them for long periods of time.
- If you are having hand pain, seek a Hand therapist who can provide you with appropriate support so you don’t wear out your joints.
How can dental professionals set up their work space to be the most ergonomic friendly to them?
This is specific to each set up. The key is to get close to your work space and avoid any awkward postures like raised shoulders, a flexed neck or extended reach. Raise or lower your stool or the patient chair so that you are most comfortable. Wear your ergonomic loupes that help you avoid looking down for prolonged periods.
This conversation between dentistry and occupational therapy highlights what’s possible when we collaborate across disciplines. By blending our expertise in oral health and human function, my hope is you feel empowered to not only serve our patients but prioritize our well-being. .
As you care for others, remember to care for your own body, too. Whether it's investing in a more ergonomic workspace, choosing Enova loupes to improve posture, or scheduling that long-overdue hand therapy consultation, I have learned early on investing in my body and wellness only offers more joy in the practice of dentistry. It’s hard to enjoy your job when your neck and shoulders are screaming at you or when you start to see the physiological burdens of dentistry impact other daily activities we love to do.
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