Why Dentistry Might Be the Biggest Untapped Opportunity for Ergonomists

When most people think about ergonomics, they picture office workers hunched over laptops or industrial workers lifting heavy loads. But what about dentistry?

Dentists, hygienists, and assistants face some of the highest rates of musculoskeletal pain in any profession, and yet ergonomic solutions are rarely part of the conversation. Pain is often seen as “just part of the job.”

That’s why I sat down with Stephanie Botts, RDH, BSDH, CEAS, a dental hygienist with over 16 years of clinical experience and founder of Polished Posture. Stephanie has lived the physical toll of dentistry firsthand—and now she’s on a mission to help dental professionals practice safely, extend their careers, and avoid disability.

In our conversation, we cover:

• Why pain is so normalized in dentistry (and how to challenge that mindset)

• The biggest ergonomic risks unique to dental clinicians

• Practical, low-cost fixes every ergonomist should know

• How patient positioning and soft skills can make or break an assessment

• Why this field is a huge growth opportunity for ergonomists ready to specialize

If you’ve ever thought about expanding your ergonomics services into new industries, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Resources:

Free, Downloadable Office Ergo Resources: https://www.ergonomicshelp.com/free-training

Stephanie Botts website: https://polishedposture-shop.myshopify.com/

Stephanie Botts email: [email protected]