Dr Devisha Patel and KaVo – ergonomics and products that are designed to deliver

Dr Devisha Patel discusses the importance of dental ergonomics in protecting clinician wellbeing, reducing physical strain and supporting a longer, healthier career.

KaVo was delighted to make the acquaintance of Dr Devisha Patel earlier this year. Having found Dr Patel on social media platforms, sharing her views on the importance of ergonomics in modern dentistry, it was clear that we were on the same wavelength. KaVo products are designed and manufactured to be as ergonomic as possible – along with quality and longevity, it’s one of our founding principles. As Dr Patel says, clinician wellbeing should be viewed as an essential foundation of excellent dentistry, not an afterthought.

When KaVo introduced Dr Patel to the team at Dentistry, they discussed the reasons and rationale behind her views on ergonomics. Here, we’ve interspersed that with a guide to the KaVo products that practice what Dr Patel is preaching – with inbuilt qualities that make them better not only for your patients’ comfort, but also for you as an operator and your long-term health.

Devisha Patel (DP): One of the most significant ergonomic challenges dental professionals face is the prolonged maintenance of static and often compromised postures. Dentistry requires an extraordinary level of precision and concentration, which frequently means clinicians spend hours leaning forward, rotating the neck, elevating the shoulders, or working with unsupported posture for extended periods of time.

Over time, this can lead to chronic musculoskeletal strain, particularly affecting the neck, shoulders, lower back and wrists. What is concerning is that many clinicians begin to normalise physical discomfort as simply ‘part of the profession’, when in reality it can have a profound impact on both personal wellbeing and career longevity.

Designing the dental unit around the clinician

KaVo (KV): We recognise the impact of poor working posture in dentistry, and while it can seem unavoidable at times, our dental units (the ESTETICA E30, the KaVo amiQa, the KaVo uniQa and the ESTETICA E70 / E80 Vision) are all designed to optimise patient access, thanks to: the size and angles of the patient backrest; the control of the patient chair and handpieces from one ergonomic multi-functional foot control that requires minimal up/down foot movement; and the fact that you can work sitting or standing. 

For truly optimised working, an ‘over the patient’ delivery system puts less strain on your wrists and hands, and the KaVo E70/E80 Vision units are the only treatment units in the world that are accredited by the AGR – the Healthy Back Association of Germany – recognising them as supporting a truly healthy working posture throughout the working day, and indeed your career.

When ergonomics become secondary

DP: Often, the focus within a practice is understandably centred around efficiency, productivity and patient flow, but ergonomics can sometimes become secondary. The design of dental equipment plays a huge role. Well-balanced, lightweight and ergonomically designed instruments can make an enormous difference to reducing strain on the wrists, shoulders and upper body, particularly during longer or more intricate procedures.

KV: This is where our handpieces come into their own.  Lots of people acknowledge KaVo handpieces as being ‘premium’ and ‘best-in-class’ but they’ve earned these labels not just because of their price:performance ratio in relation to the procedures they carry out, but also their benefits to the operator – a turbine that is whisper-quiet (KaVo MASTERtorque M9000L) so as not to cause tinnitus, a triple-gear ratio within the handpiece (KaVo MASTERmatic M25L) so as to minimise vibrations in the hands and alleviate fatigue.  With handpieces, it’s not just the patients feeling the effects – it’s you as the operator too.

How ergonomics can reduce strain during repetitive procedures

DP:  Clinicians are working within an extremely small operating field for much of the day, often maintaining intense visual focus whilst carrying out highly controlled, repetitive movements for prolonged periods of time.

KV: This is one of the reasons that we designed the new, award-winning KaVo LUMINA light, that comes with all of our dental unit packages.  New UX Light Technology is created by combining an innovative single-optical system with a unique collimator. It generates constant, pulse-free light of the highest quality – so better views and less eye strain. 

The natural colour spectrum created by the UX Light Technology eliminates the need to adjust the colour temperature and enables optimised illumination of the molars without annoying reflections on the anterior teeth.

It also forms a new, ergonomic light field with flexible spacing between the light and the patient’s mouth.  Even the handles are ergonomic and inspired by Japanese chefs’ knives, for ease of positioning.

Making ergonomics part of prevention

DP: Where ergonomics are concerned, I think there needs to be greater emphasis on prevention rather than reaction. Too often, clinicians only begin addressing ergonomics once pain or injury develops, rather than embedding healthy working practices from the outset of their careers.

KV: Ergonomics has become such a buzzword in dentistry, it’s easy to confuse it with simple, initial comfort and anything lightweight. But don’t take it at its word – look a little deeper and see the longer-term attributes of handpieces and dental units that have always been designed to be truly ergonomic – not retro-labelled as such.  And furthermore, to Dr Devisha Patel’s point, don’t wait for the pain to come – put your health first and investigate KaVo dental units and handpieces as a proactive solution to comfort and longevity in your career.

To get your own personalised diagnosis on ways to use KaVo products to improve your working comfort, get in touch today.

This article is sponsored by KaVo.