An overview of saddle seats and their benefits in dentistry

Back pain is the second most common cause of long-term sickness in the UK after stress. During 2010–2011, 7.6 million working days were lost due to work-related back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders (NHS Choices, 2013). According to the most recent report from the Chief Medical Officer of England (Department of Health, 2012), the highest reason for self-reported illness was for musculoskeletal disorders.

Modern work and living requires us to be seated for much of the day. Our leisure time will involve many hours of sitting, whether this is driving, sitting at a computer screen or slumped in a chair at home. As a dental nurse, your work may mean that many hours are spent in a static position beside the dental chair and clinician. If you are sitting on a conventionally designed chair then you may already be experiencing back problems or may do so in the future.