Moving and handling techniques in the dental chair

Musculoskeletal injuries can have serious implications for dental nurses. Dental nurses must recognise the importance of ensuring safe moving and handling practices in their workplace, in a proactive, as opposed to a reactive fashion.

Although medical emergencies in the dental practice are rare, they can occur and may require safe moving and handling techniques. If the patient is unconscious (and breathing normally) and in the supine position, the airway is at risk, as, for example, the tongue could block the airway. The patient will therefore need to be moved into the recovery or lateral positon.

For example, if a patient has a major seizure (convulsion) in the dental chair, once the convulsive movements stop, it is advised to place the patient into the recovery position (Jevon, 2014). If a patient has a cardiac arrest in the dental chair, then cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) will need to be performed on the patient in the chair.