Ergonomics: muscle fatigue, posture, magnification, and illumination

Chronic low-level trauma very often goes unnoticed until symptoms prompt sufferers to seek medical help. Many combined risk factors, rather than a single event or practice, lead to cumulative trauma disorders. Muscle fatigue leads to muscle trauma as well as a cascade of other injuries. With preemptive ergonomic strategies, such as the use of magnification and illumination, many of the common disabilities associated with dental careers can be avoided or reduced. The information in this article is of particular interest to not only the practicing dentist, but the entire dental team.