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 A Stability Ball Chair For Dental Professionals

Stability ball chairs provide a healthy ergonomic option in the workplace



(Evolution chiar, 2010)

** MEASURABLE EDUCATION GOALS: ** By a dental hygienist incorporating the stability ball into the workday, the goal is to reduce the head and shoulders from leaning forward throughout the day.

__**OBJECTIVES:**__ 
 * == Ergonomic techniques for a dental hygienist ==
 * ** What is a stability ball and why is it used? **
 * ** Benefits and use of a stability ball in the dental field **
 * **Proper ergonomics when sitting on the stability ball**
 * **Proper transition from a regular dental chair to a stability ball chair**
 * **The cost of the stability ball chair**


 * **Different colours available**


 * **The association that supports the stability ball chair**

**ERGONOMICS IN THE DENTAL OFFICE**

"Ergonomics is the study of human performance and work place design." (Darby and Walsh, 2010) (Darby and Walsh, 2010)
 * Maintain good posture
 * Thighs parallel to then floor
 * Feet flat on the floor
 * Neutral positioning with forearm and wrist
 * Relax shoulders
 * Avoid pinching of instruments

__**WHAT A STABILITY BALL IS AND WHY IS IT USED?**__ Many jobs in the dental field require sitting for long periods of time and after a long day at work, sitting on a regular dental chair creates stress on the body. This chair is designed with the dental professional in mind, it is a stability ball that has been designed with a base and wheels. It has been designed into a chair to eliminate back lower back, neck and musculo-skeletal pain. Sitting in uncomfortable positions for long periods of time, can put you at risk for back injury (Evolution, 2010). (Student Loupes, 2011)

(Evolution chair, 2010)

__** BENEFITS AND USE: **__ Poor posture and weak muscles from slouching all day at work creates strain on the body from poor ergonomics.  By using the stability ball chair it increases core muscle strength, which helps with supporting the spine through a process of active sitting. By using this chair, adjusting the body to the movement of the ball, engages deep core muscles while keeping an upright position. With the ability to adjust the height and base of the ball chair to fit specific needs, helps with proper body alignment for each dental hygienist. People between five and six and a half feet will find this ball most beneficial.

(Evolution, 2010)

__**SITTING ON THE STABILITY BALL:**__ When sitting on the stability ball it is important to remember to relax the neck and shoulders. Sitting with the hips slightly higher then the knees will relieve spinal compression and correct alignment. By sitting tall, this will elongate the spine and allow for proper back posture. By sitting with 40% weight on the feet and 60% weight on the gluteus maximus, this is the best way to sit on the stability ball to ensure proper weight distribution.The stability wall engages core muscles, while improving posture.

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(Youtube, 2011)

**__TRANSITION:__** When transitioning from a regular dental chair to the stability ball chair, it is important to give the body ample time to get use to the new chair. Here is the schedule for the first four weeks, to ensure proper use of this chair. Use the time duration listed below for daily use: (Evolution chair, 2010)
 * DAYS || Week ONE || TWO || THREE || FOUR ||
 * 1 || 15 minutes || 1 hours 45 minutes || 3 hours 30 minutes || 5 hours 15 minutes ||
 * 2 || 20 minutes || 2 hours || 3 hours 45 minutes || 5 hours 30 minutes ||
 * 3 || 30 minutes || 2 hours 15 minutes || 4 hours || 5 hours 45 minutes ||
 * 4 || 40 minutes || 2 hours 30 minutes || 4 hours 15 minutes || 6 hours ||
 * 5 || 1 hours || 2 hours 45 minutes || 4 hours 30 minutes || 6 hours 30 minutes ||
 * 6 || 1 hours 15 minutes || 3 hours || 4 hours 45 minutes || 7 hours ||
 * 7 || 1 hours 30 minutes || 3 hours 15 minutes || 5 hours || 8 hours ||

**__COST:__** The stability ball chair ranges in price from $150.00 to $200.00, depending on the chair package purchased. The two main dental companies in Ontario that carry the stability ball include: **K Dental Inc** in Scarborough Ontario, **Henry Schien**, in Niagara.

**THE STABILITY BALL CHAIR IS AVAILABLE IN MANY DIFFERENT COLOURS**



(Evolution Chair, 2010)

**The stability ball product is recognized under the Canadian Physiotherapy Association** "The Evolution ChairTM provides the necessary adjustments to attain correct posture and limit the incidence of pain, while also providing an ideal platform for stretching and exercise." (The Canadian Physiotherapy Association, 2010)

(The Canadian Physiotherapy Association, 2010)

References Darby, Michele L., and Margaret M. Walsh. //Dental hygiene Theory and Practice//. Third ed. St.Louis: Saunders, 2010. 140-41.

Evolution Chair., (2010). //Exercise While Sitting.// Retrieved November 14, 2011 from http://www.evolutionchair.com/ Posture Perfect Solutions Limited., (2010). //Exercise While Sitting//. Retrieved November 14, 2011 from http://www.evolutionchair.com/ Student Loupes., (2011). //Why Loupes//. Retrieved November 14, 2011 from http://www.studentloupes.co.uk/why-loupes The Canadian Physiotherapy Association., (2011). //Evolution Chair, by Posture Perfect Solutions Ltd.// Retrieved November 14, 2011 from http://www.physiotherapy.ca/public.asp?WCE=C=47|K=228128