Grantham dental staff perfect their posture

Staff at a dental surgery are being taught how to improve their posture as part of a programme set up by their colleagues.

Kath Eastwood and Hayley Drury have worked together at the Maltings Dental Practice on Commercial Road, since 2004.

They independently set up ‘team4hands4you’ earlier this year to run teaching courses after seeing the impact that poor posture could have on the dental profession.

Back and shoulder pain is common place for many working in the dental industry and can often get overlooked. This can result in trying to manage with pain during routine work and often culminating in the need to take time off work. However a return to the same posture does not solve the long term problem.

Hayley, who works as a clinical lead, said: “Musculoskeletal problems is a big issue in the dental profession due to poor posture whilst working.”

As part of the course, several members of the practice attended an interactive session last month with other dental professionals, which included appropriate stretches and exercises utilising the yoga technique.

Kath, a dentist at the practice , added: “As well as benefits to the health and wellbeing of the professionals, there is a real benefit to patients when this team approach is embraced.”

Having taught new graduate dentists the course with their dental nurses for a couple of years, Hayley and Kath recognise the need for better education in this area for all clinical dental staff.

Kath is also undergoing a specific course in 'corrective exercise specialisation.'

Hayley added: “We really enjoy teaching the course and techniques. It is fabulous to teach something that is both fun and interactive and share the techniques that we promote and practice ourselves."