Veterinary dentistry article puts ergonomics at center stage

Veterinary dentistry teams are getting a timely reminder that protecting staff health is part of protecting patient care. A new peer-reviewed continuing education article in Today’s Veterinary Nurse, published June 1, 2026, argues that ergonomics should be treated as a core part of veterinary dental practice, not an afterthought. Author Mary L. Berg, RVT, VTS (Dentistry), outlines how common dental tasks such as scaling, polishing, charting, and radiography can contribute to musculoskeletal strain, and points to practical interventions including adjustable chairs and tables, sit-stand workstations, antifatigue mats, surgical loupes, hearing protection, better instrument handling, and regular breaks and stretches. The article also cites a 2022 Ohio State University survey in which 60% of veterinarians and veterinary nurses or technicians reported musculoskeletal discomfort, with more than 85% saying work activities worsened symptoms in at least one body region. (todaysveterinarynurse.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this is less about comfort than workforce durability. The article lands against a broader backdrop of evidence showing musculoskeletal pain is widespread in veterinary medicine, with a recent narrative review reporting that 60% to 90% of veterinarians in prior studies had pain or discomfort over the previous 12 months. AAHA’s dental care guidance already advises teams to limit excessive reaching, bending, and twisting, and to arrange instruments and supplies to support healthy ergonomic practice. In that sense, Berg’s piece doesn’t introduce a new standard, but it does translate existing occupational health concerns into concrete dental workflow changes that practices can act on now, especially in high-volume dentistry settings where repetitive motion and static posture are common. (sciencedirect.com)

What to watch: Expect more attention on whether practices move from awareness to implementation, especially as staffing pressures, burnout concerns, and retention strategies push clinics to treat ergonomics as an operational issue rather than an individual one. (todaysveterinarynurse.com)