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1 What Is Ergonomics?

      Let’s start with some definitions of key terms. The terms “human‐factors engineering” and “ergonomics” are used interchangeably on the North American continent. In Europe, Japan, and most of the rest of the world, the prevalent term used is ergonomics. Merriam‐Webster (n.d.) defines ergonomics as “(1) an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely ‐ called the biotechnology, human engineering, human factors”; and “(2) the design characteristics of an object resulting especially from the application of the science of ergonomics.” The Britannica Online Encyclopedia defines human‐factors engineering as ergonomics or human engineering (Holstein & Chapanis, 2018). The term “human‐factors engineering” is used equally to designate a body of knowledge, a process, and a profession. Human engineering is a science dealing with the application of information on physical and psychological characteristics to the design of devices and systems for human use.

      The word “ergonomics” is derived from the ancient Greek ergon, which means work, and nomos, which means law. Ergonomics can also be seen as the science concerned with how to fit a job to a person’s anatomical, physiological, and psychological characteristics in a way that will enhance human efficiency and thus contribute to a safer working environment. The discipline of ergonomics was formalized after the end of World War II. The science of ergonomics looks for ways to make work easier on a worker’s body by using a combination of techniques and equipment that will prevent injuries while maintaining efficiency.

Human‐factors engineers have tried to show that with appropriate techniques it is possible to identify human‐made mismatches and thus to find workable solutions to these mismatches through the use of methods developed in the behavioral sciences. Design decisions and approaches cannot be reached without a lot of trial and error. The telephone and the typewriter keyboard are but two out of thousands of examples that might have been selected to show how human‐factors engineering has been consciously applied to solve technological problems. Today, we can just look at the many advances in the US space program, automotive industry, computer technology, and more. More broadly, in every sector globally there is a realization that physical problems occur because of workplace setups that can cause misalignment of the human anatomy, and thus physical pain and mental misery. The list continues to expand as the world moves at a faster and faster pace and there is a realization that ergonomics is essential in daily life.

      In the January 2021 edition of Costco Connection, there is a short article on how to prevent and recover from bad work habits. We are reminded to commit to healthy work habits such as sitting tall and getting up every hour to move that body. We must begin to listen to our bodies. Researchers have used a number of methods to measure these musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) or imbalances, yet these are really just subjective. Gravity is the one force that affects all existence and behavior on earth. Defining and maintaining a steady center of gravity is therefore important and the most significant natural step in accomplishing any given task. Each individual has their own unique center of gravity. We can collaborate with other people and disciplines in order to achieve a better understanding of what needs to happen to avoid an MSD, but ultimately it is our individual responsibility to learn to treat our body with kindness.

The practice of dentistry today

      From the vantage point of the twenty‐first century we can see a continuous pattern of musculoskeletal strain and awkward postures among dental providers and their auxiliaries. A combination of unsupported postures, excessive movements,

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