“Back-saving device can help dental professionals avoid early retirement”

By Susan Pauer

MADISON – About 70 percent of dentist practitioners in the United States suffer from back injuries. As a result, almost a third of dentists are forced to retire early, according to an industry survey. However, a Wisconsin firm’s innovative research and design is providing a solution to the type of chronic, debilitating back pain that sidelines too many dentists.

Founded in 2004, Career Extenders Inc. has developed “AnterioRest,” which is similar to a recliner in that it allows the dentist to maintain a position effortlessly. It is an adjustable, cushioned arm that allows dentists to lean over patients without having to suffer from muscle strain that otherwise would result. It attaches to any dental operatory chair and is very adjustable, allowing for dentists to use it from nearly any angle. The AnterioRest can also be adjusted to be used from a standing position.

Historically, dentists and other medical practitioners have suffered from a wide variety of musculoskeletal ailments. Hours upon hours of remaining in the same position caused back muscle strain that led to joint problems and spinal disc pressure or degeneration.

“Treating patients 10 hours daily for the past 29 years in an essentially hunched over posture had rendered my back muscles riddled with stiffness, soreness, and ever more frequent episodes of overt pain,” said Eagle River dentist Kory E. Pinnow. “My resignation was that this was a condition with which I would just have to deal and that when it worsened enough, I would concede to early retirement.”

Dentists aren’t the only professionals who suffer from debilitating back pain. Their assistants spend hours hunched over patients as well.

“I had ‘perfect’ 90 degree posture…but the static postures…were killing me,” a registered dental hygienist’s testimonial said. “My job was ruining every area of my life because of the amount of pain from the static muscle postures…”

Located in Omro, CEI is still a relatively small company with only six employees. However, it may be the only company marketing frontal support products for treating back pain in the medical field.

Today, there are about 235,000 dentists in the United States as well as about 500,000 hygienists, 70 percent of whom also suffer from back injuries. This is a total market of about 514,500 practitioners. AnterioRest is contract manufactured and then sold to distributors, which is the sales channel for about 98 percent of dental equipment, according to the Dental Trade Alliance). CEI works closely with top distributors, some of which include Sullivan Schien, Benco, Iowa Dental Supply, Holt Dental and ProHealth Equipment.

“Four months ago your technician installed the AnterioRest on my operatory chairs. AnterioRest permits me to position myself over my patients in treatment posture while leaning my upper torso against an immovable cushion,” Pinnow told Career Extenders. “It is now as if my upper body is suspended over my patient in treatment position without the expenditure of lower back effort.”

AnterioRest is a breakthrough in medical equipment because it effectively addresses the key factor that forces many dental practitioners into early retirement. With it, dentists are able to extend their careers working in comfort.

In 2008, The American Association of Women Dentists selected the AnterioRest as its “Product of the Year.” To learn more, visit www.anteriorestdental.com or call (920) 685-0818.

Pauer is a senior student in the UW-Madison Department of Life Science Communications.

###