Musculoskeletal Disorders
The World Health Organization reports that musculoskeletal conditions affect approximately 1.71 billion individuals worldwide, and are the leading cause of disability globally, with low back pain being the single leading cause of disability in 160 countries.
Disabling musculoskeletal conditions affect approximately 127.4 million people in the U.S., which is over a third of the U.S. population.
Musculoskeletal care accounts for one-sixth of employer-sponsored plan dollars and a $600 billion expense to the U.S. economy.
The pain can lead to the joints being affected, leading to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and spondylarthritis. In addition, bones may also be affected by osteoporosis, osteopenia, and associated fragility fractures or traumatic fractures. Chronic musculoskeletal disorders may also lead to depression, anxiety, and decreased quality of life.
Some of the causes of musculoskeletal disorders are poor posture while sitting and working long hours – a condition prevalent among dental surgeons and ENT specialists.
“A good dental provider does everything they can to relax their patients during any dental procedure, frequently at the expense of their own physical well-being. Dentists and hygienists assume awkward postures while performing repetitive tasks, positioning themselves rigidly to maintain precise movements to minimize patient discomfort,” notes Adrian LaTrace, CEO of Boyd Industries, the market leader in the design and manufacture of highly reliable, innovative dental and medical operatory equipment.
People suffering from musculoskeletal pain tend to miss out on work for an average of 8.2 days, which is double the sick days of an average worker. This figure goes up to 13 days for individuals with musculoskeletal pain and mental health needs.
Experts suggest good ergonomics are a necessity to protect against musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of ergonomics is to alleviate stress and eradicate injuries and disorders linked to improper posture and alignment, muscle overuse, and repetitive movements. Proper workplace ergonomics reduce musculoskeletal problems by 61% and lost workdays by 88%.
“Workplace ergonomics in the dental industry needs to be ubiquitous, from the front desk to the treatment chair and surrounding dental operatory equipment. The benefits of an ergonomic office depend upon the individual needs of each member of the entire team,” emphasizes LaTrace.
Adrian LaTrace, CEO of Boyd Industries can speak on the following:
- What are the factors leading to the increase in musculoskeletal disorders?
- What are some of the conditions that may result from musculoskeletal pain?
- Which professions are most prone to musculoskeletal disorders?
- How can ergonomics help in reducing the risks of musculoskeletal disorders?
- What are the benefits of proper ergonomics in the workplace?
About Boyd Industries
For 65 years, Boyd Industries has been the innovative market leader in the design and manufacture of dental and medical operatory equipment. Their high-quality and reliable equipment has been the choice of dental specialty practices and dental surgery offices. The rapidly expanding Ear, Nose, and Throat market now seeks its reputation for quality and innovation. Boyd equipment is specifically designed to provide maximum practice productivity while incorporating ergonomic characteristics for the doctor, staff, and patient. As an original equipment manufacturer, they use a vertically integrated approach to ensure their process meets high-quality standards. This approach allows Boyd to control each step of component fabrication and product assembly. Boyd’s products include a full line of dental exam, treatment and surgical chairs, dental delivery systems, LED exam and surgical lighting, custom sterilization and storage cabinetry, doctor or assistant seating, and other accessories. Boyd was named the Senate Small Business of the Week in November 2020 and is a ten-time winner of the Townie Choice Award for excellence in orthodontic operatory equipment. Built to last. Built for you. Built by Boyd.