Stop holding that suction! Your posture will thank you

I graduated from dental hygiene school in 2008, and it wasn’t until about 2020 that I started to pay attention to my ergonomics and posture. This was much later than I should have started paying attention! Ergonomics is an often underrated yet crucial aspect of practicing dental hygiene. It will literally make (or break) your career, health, happiness, and longevity.

Looking back, while I made many mistakes, one stands out: how I used my power scaler. I was taught to hold the saliva ejector in one hand while power scaling with the other. I’ve come to learn as an ergonomics coach and educator that many hygienists practice this way. Here I’ll explore why this approach is problematic and I’ll discuss a safer and more comfortable alternative.

Suction devices explained

One of the issues with holding the suction yourself is that you cannot also use your mirror. Learning and using indirect vision are crucial for your ergonomics and posture. Sure, there are a couple of areas you can see with direct vision, but what about the distal of no. 14? Or the lingual of the maxillary anteriors? Without your mirror, you’ll be hunching, twisting, and leaning to try to see.

Another issue is pinch (or grip) force. This is a significant risk factor for developing an ergonomic injury. Pinch force refers to the degree of force with which you hold onto something. As it increases, so does the strain on your body, from your hands up to your neck. You want a nice, light, relaxed grip.

When you hold the suction, you’re usually also trying to retract a strong tongue, cheek, or lip, which dramatically increases your pinch force. When a clinician develops pain in their hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, or shoulders, it can often be traced back to their tight grip. Taking regular microbreaks is crucial, as is using a suction device.

Why I like hands-free

Suction devices have come a long way, and there are so many to choose from. I prefer a hands-free device that’s attached to my suction and inserted into the patient's mouth. Many are “plug-and-play,” with an easy learning curve that can be quickly added to your workflow.

Some devices can be attached to the saliva ejector, while others are designed to work with the HVE; it’s up to you to choose your preference. Watch this video demonstration of how these improve posture and ergonomics.

I’ve found that when used correctly, patients find suction devices comfortable and they have minimal gagging, which is one of the main concerns when hygienists first start using them. Some even have a built-in bite block and cheek retractor.

Using a hands-free suction device has been a game changer for me, as well as for the clinicians I have worked with during my ergonomic assessments and coaching. They aren’t as tricky or clumsy as you may think, and they’re easily incorporated into your day.

Finding ways to minimize strain will pay dividends toward your health and longevity in the operatory, and using a suction device is one of many that I recommend. Don’t make the mistake I made, which is caring about ergonomics AFTER I developed pain.

Be smarter than me and start learning as early in your career as possible. You only have one body, and it needs to last a long time with minimal strain and pain. Your future self will thank you!