The Debate on Sitting vs. Standing in Dental Hygiene

“Sitting is the new smoking.” Have you heard this in recent years? While it’s not entirely accurate, it sure grabs your attention. The truth is, we’re not meant to sit or stand indefinitely—our bodies thrive on a mix of both! This couldn’t be truer for dental hygienists.

So, it begs the question: Which is better—sitting or standing as a dental hygienist while working on patients?

Benefits and Drawbacks of Sitting While Working on Patients

You know those days when you can’t wait to finish taking radiographs just to sink into your chair? Your feet ache, your lower back feels tight, and sitting—even if it’s to scale—sounds lovely. It’s not laziness; it’s giving your body a break!

Benefits of Sitting

Drawbacks of Sitting

1. Prolonged sitting can lead to lower back pain
2. Increases the risk of tight hip flexors and weak core muscles (which often leads to drawback #1)
3. Encourages slouched posture, resulting in neck and shoulder strain
4. Reduces circulation, increasing stiffness or numbness in the legs—especially the hamstrings (again, contributing to drawback #1!)
5. Lack of movement over time can cause muscle imbalances and musculoskeletal pain

Tips for Sitting Ergonomically

• Sit up straight, aligning your head, neck, and shoulders over your hips
• Keep your hips even—a neutral pelvis is the foundation for spinal support
• Hinge at the hips if you need to lean forward
• Rotate at your solar plexus (diaphragm) if you need to twist
• Keep both feet flat on the floor
• Adjust your chair height so your thighs slope slightly downward
• Consider a saddle stool to support a neutral spine

Note: Saddle stools can be fantastic but finding the right fit is important. If it doesn’t work for you, that’s perfectly okay—find what suits your body best!

Benefits and Drawbacks of Standing While Working on Patients

Benefits of Standing

Drawbacks of Standing

1. Prolonged standing can lead to fatigue in the legs and feet
2. May cause joint discomfort in the hips and knees over time
3. Can lead to lower back discomfort without proper posture or support
4. Requires frequent weight shifting to avoid uneven strain (stepping on the rheostat or ultrasonic pedal adds to the challenge!)
5. Can result in sore ankles and knees without cushioned flooring or supportive footwear

Tips for Standing Comfortably

• Stand tall with your shoulders back and relaxed, maintaining a straight line from head to feet
• Position your feet where you feel most stable—together, hip-width, shoulder-width, or somewhere in between
• Engage your core muscles to support your spine and maintain stability
• Distribute your weight evenly on both feet—avoid leaning to one side
• Wear supportive footwear

Note: If you find yourself shifting your weight back and forth too much, it’s a sign your lower body is tired. Consider sitting for a patient or two.

Finding the Right Balance

The name of the game is movement, blood flow, and variety—our bodies crave it!

Try alternating between sitting and standing to find what feels best. Your preference might even vary from day to day. Some hygienists mix it up within the same appointment, like standing to probe and sitting to scale and polish.

If someone is semi-reclined, that’s a standing patient for me. And if I need to reach too far because of the patient’s size (I’m 5’2”!), I’ll stand too.

Ideally, I’d alternate sitting and standing with every other patient. But let’s be honest—some days I have more semi-reclined patients in a row than I’d like, and I end up sitting for the rest of the day. The key is listening to your body and adjusting as needed. We all have unique ergonomic needs—and they can change by the hour!

Stretching Breaks

The Takeaway: Choose What Works Best for You

So, which is better—sitting or standing as a dental hygienist? The answer is up to you! Personally, I prefer a combination of both, but the best approach is one that prioritizes your comfort and health. 😊

Explore different ergonomic setups, alternate between sitting and standing, and consider adding stretching or a dynamic warm-up to find what feels best for you and your body.