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Corporate programmes

Ergonomics SA

Dental

Protect the hands, neck and back that run your practice

Physiotherapist-led ergonomic assessments, saddle stools and loupes fitted for dentists, hygienists and assistants - designed to reduce the sustained awkward postures linked to neck, shoulder and back strain.
Book a surgery assessmentShop dental equipment
A dentist works upright on a saddle stool with magnification loupes, the patient at elbow heightIllustrative

The problem

What we see in dental

  • Neck, shoulder and low back pain from sustained forward-flexed working postures
  • Hand and wrist strain from fine instrument work and repetitive scaling
  • Early retirement or reduced clinical hours because of musculoskeletal pain
  • Assistants working twisted or standing for long procedures
  • Loupes bought online without a working-distance or declination fitting

The legal angle

Ergonomics Regulations, 2019 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993; HPCSA-registered practitioners as employers of dental assistants, hygienists and receptionists.

Free screening

Start with a 3-minute check

RULA upper-limb assessmentRapid Upper Limb Assessment for seated and standing tasks.→REBA whole-body assessmentRapid Entire Body Assessment for handling and awkward postures.→

Also: Get fitted for loupes and a saddle stool

clinical in use at work (illustrative)Illustrative
stools in use at work (illustrative)Illustrative

Our method

Measure the person. Fit the task. Document every change.

Services

How we fix it

Indicative launch prices, excl. VAT, "from" prices - final quote after scoping.

Entry

Loupe and seating fitting session

from R950

Core

Operatory assessment + saddle stools for dentist and assistant

from R11,000

Premium

Practice MSD risk report (4 operatories) + full kit for one operatory + workshop

from R31,500

Dental surgery ergonomic assessment (per operatory, dentist + assistant)from R3,500
Loupe and seating fitting session (per clinician)from R950
Practice MSD risk report for the Ergonomics Regulations (up to 4 operatories)from R8,500
CPD-style practice workshop: posture, positioning and micro-breaks (up to 15 staff)from R6,500
Physiotherapy treatment for clinicians via Advanced Physical Therapyfrom R650

Supply it

Recommended equipment

Shop the full range
Led by an HPCSA-registered physiotherapist (Tshepo Mokitimi, BSc Physiotherapy, UCT)
Part of the Therapy On The Go group, delivering occupational health programmes for public and private employers since 2009
Assessment, equipment and follow-up treatment from one provider

Questions we get asked

Do you assess the whole team or only the dentist?+

The whole operatory - dentist, hygienist and assistant - because their positions affect each other. Reception and sterilisation areas can be added.

Will an assessment disrupt patient sessions?+

No. We observe during normal sessions for about 60 to 90 minutes per operatory and fit equipment between patients or after hours.

Are the loupes measured for me?+

Yes. We measure working distance and declination angle during your assessment before the loupes are ordered.

Can I claim this as a business expense?+

Assessment and equipment for a practice are normally business costs. Please confirm treatment with your accountant.

Book a surgery assessment

Tell us about your team and we will come back within one working day.

POPIA consent