Neck, Back & Beyond: Preventing Pain for Peak Productivity - Ms. Bethany Valachi
 |
 |
||
|
Co-Sponsored by SurgiTel and the Thompson Okanagan Dental Society
|
|||
Course Outline
Two out of three dental professionals experience work-related pain that can affect quality of life, productivity, or career longevity.
This research-based seminar for dentists, hygienists and assistants bridges the gap between dental ergonomics and work-related pain so you can work longer, more comfortably, and with less fatigue. Discover how your posture, movement, equipment selection, adjustment and operatory layout impact your health. Implement powerful prevention strategies based on research in the areas of dental ergonomics, biomechanics, kinesiology, and physiology. Team members will walk away with techniques they can apply immediately in the operatory to reduce work-related pain, prevent injury and increase career longevity.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of the course, attendees will be able to:
- Identify and prevent common MSDs in dentistry.
- Properly select and adjust delivery systems, operator stools and patient chairs based on operator size, job-type and operatory size.
- Implement chairside stretching to prevent muscle dysfunction.
- Apply proper body mechanics to prevent back pain, rotator cuff impingement and trapezius myalgia.
- Discern the 4 pain syndromes that can mimic carpal tunnel syndrome in dentistry and implement preventive strategies.
Biography
| Bethany Valachi, PT, MS, CEAS is recognized as a leading international dental ergonomic expert, and is author of the book, “Practice Dentistry Pain-Free: Evidence-based Strategies to Prevent Pain and Extend Your Career”. She is a physical therapist, dental ergonomic consultant and CEO of Posturedontics®, a company that provides research-based dental ergonomic education and evaluated dental ergonomic products. Clinical instructor of ergonomics at OHSU School of Dentistry in Portland, Oregon, Bethany has provided expertise on dental ergonomics to numerous practicing clinicians and schools, including faculty training at NYU College of Dentistry. She lectures internationally and was invited to speak at the 2009 International Dental Ergonomics Congress in Krakow, Poland. She is ergonomic columnist for Dental Economics journal, and has been published in many peer-reviewed dental journals, including the Journal of the American Dental Association, Contemporary Oral Hygiene, Australian Dental Practice and others. Bethany has produced exercise videos specifically for dental professionals. She offers a wealth of dental ergonomic resources, including books, DVDs, free newsletter and dental product reviews on her website at www.posturedontics.com. |