Is anyone else discouraged about pursuing dentistry due to the physical toll it creates? Dentistry is my passion but I can't ignore what it does to your back and hands. I also think my generation will have an increased risk for arthritis and issues with pain in our fingers. Does anyone else share these same type of concerns and if so, what do you plan on doing to help with this? I'm honestly considering a different profession solely because I'm afraid of what my physical state will be like after 10-15 years of practicing.
Help!! The physical toll of dentistry
- Thread starter Kelso5184
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Time to see a specialist for medical help.
Personally, I would start stretching more often. Your back pain is due to poor back posture.
Personally, I would start stretching more often. Your back pain is due to poor back posture.
I'm pretty active and exercise regularly to help with my back and posture. In terms of pain in the fingers I don't know what proactive measures can be done. And I'd actually like to enjoy my retirement if I get there! Lol!
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We aren't supposed to give medical advice, so I would definitely have your fingers checked out. It could be a multitude of reasons such as joint pain and many different sub-types of arthritis.
Barring some sort of traumatic injury or acquired medical issue you should be able to work in dentistry without hurting yourself but it is a challenge. Your health must be a priority: eat properly, exercise, and always exercise good ergonomics. Invest in proper magnification and learn how to use indirect vision as soon as possible. Basically keep both of your feet on the ground at all times and your shoulders square, elbows down and at your sides, and use magnification that has a steep enough angle of declination that you can keep your neck in a relatively neutral position. Or, as you said, find a new career path and avoid all this. It's something to consider.
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Unfortunately, dentistry will take its toll on your eyes, hands, arms, and legs over time even with good ergonomics. Why do you think I advocate making as much money as possible and getting out. It's a fun profession that destroys you faster over time.
I wouldn't go to a doctor to get an official diagnosis of something wrong with your fingers or hands until you get good disability insurance. That might disqualify you or greatly increase your premiums.
I wouldn't go to a doctor to get an official diagnosis of something wrong with your fingers or hands until you get good disability insurance. That might disqualify you or greatly increase your premiums.
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Not appropriate forum for medical advice queries
However, as an aside, I have colleagues who practice martial arts and pilates and they enjoy their jobs pain free. I myself have been boxing for a while, and the conditioning workouts are great for lower back, neck, overall flexibility.
Not dispensing advice though. Perhaps speak with a physiotherapist who works with dentists to obtain some info on preventative measures so you can then worry about other things like sh--ty patients, litigation and office staff who embezzle.
M
However, as an aside, I have colleagues who practice martial arts and pilates and they enjoy their jobs pain free. I myself have been boxing for a while, and the conditioning workouts are great for lower back, neck, overall flexibility.
Not dispensing advice though. Perhaps speak with a physiotherapist who works with dentists to obtain some info on preventative measures so you can then worry about other things like sh--ty patients, litigation and office staff who embezzle.
M
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Good Point Kareful!
Any REAL JOB takes a toll on one's body over time.
Dentistry is NOT a REAL JOB.
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Someone is testy! Who was questioning the validity of dentistry? Not I! I'm just saying how easy standing/sitting all day in an air-conditioned office must be compared to shingling a roof or framing a house during the hot summer months.
I work as a programmer and deal with forward head posture and have very bad rhomboid pain from having forward shoulders pretty much bad posture. I expect this to be an issue in dentistry as well. Best things that have helped is seeing a chiropactor/masseuse to really work the upper back and neck muscles. It can get expensive but its worth it in the long run. I have also found that strengthening your body (for me back, hands, neck) really goes a long way.
As others have said every job is going to have some type of physical toll on your body. It just comes down to what you are willing to do to prevent/treat them when they come.
As others have said every job is going to have some type of physical toll on your body. It just comes down to what you are willing to do to prevent/treat them when they come.
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Kareful
I am not challenging your statement! I totally agree with you.
I too worked summers in heavy labor (Cement Lime and Gypsum Workers Union) to pay my way. After doing that in my youth, when ever I hear some dentist crying about the physical difficulties of dentistry I want to slap them.
When you and I came home from our REAL JOBS we where Hot, Dirty, Tired and Hungry. I have never come home from a day of dentistry like that. (Just hungry)
THEREFORE: Dentistry is not a real job.
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Sorry haha for the misunderstanding! I remember those days all too well. Absolutely exhausted when I got off the job. Hours were much longer too.
Again, my apologies for misunderstanding. My online sarcasm detector malfunctions sometimes.
I just was in complete disbelief someone would like dentistry to heavy labor! Haha
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Bottom line....... ANY repetitive motion job, no matter how subtle or dynamic those motions are, can take a physical toll on one's body over time.
A continual routine of fitness and awareness of one's posture does help. The reality is, and this is something that most people don't fully grasp until their 40's hit, is that the overall aging process, and how one's body reacts and heals differently over time is a concept that is hard to grasp in one's 20's.
Flexibility is one area where I wish that I had started focusing on sooner than I did (I really didn't start really incorporating stretching and some basic yoga into my fitness routine until my mid 30's, mainly because I thought it wasn't as important as my late 20's and early 30's year old mind and body thought it was) - that side of me was more about doing more strength type exercise than elasticity type exercise. I now get that being able to squat a large amount of weight might be good for ones ego, but being able to bend and stretch one's neck, back, shoulders a few more degrees in all directions long term is better for one's dental career.
A continual routine of fitness and awareness of one's posture does help. The reality is, and this is something that most people don't fully grasp until their 40's hit, is that the overall aging process, and how one's body reacts and heals differently over time is a concept that is hard to grasp in one's 20's.
Flexibility is one area where I wish that I had started focusing on sooner than I did (I really didn't start really incorporating stretching and some basic yoga into my fitness routine until my mid 30's, mainly because I thought it wasn't as important as my late 20's and early 30's year old mind and body thought it was) - that side of me was more about doing more strength type exercise than elasticity type exercise. I now get that being able to squat a large amount of weight might be good for ones ego, but being able to bend and stretch one's neck, back, shoulders a few more degrees in all directions long term is better for one's dental career.
