A Personal Trainer, But for the OP

Stephanie Botts

I clearly remember thinking this one day as I was hunching over my patient with my back screaming at me. "I just need someone to come in and watch me work so I can get an objective view of my posture and habits." I thought this because, over my 14-year career as a full-time clinical hygienist, I knew my ergonomics were not good, and my pain had pushed me to my breaking point.

I love being a hygienist. I love helping my patients achieve better health. Honestly, I love the feeling and sound of calculus flying off the teeth! Dental hygiene has given me so much; a stable income, strong relationships with my patients and coworkers, and is constantly pushing and challenging me.

For the first ten years of my career, I experienced very little in the form of pain and fatigue. I mistakenly thought I was somehow "immune" to the body issues I heard my fellow hygienists complaining about. Pain was rarely on my mind, as I didn't experience it often. I focused on improving my clinical skills, learning new technologies, and enjoying my life.

Then the pain came. And did it come! At first, I noticed it at the end of my work week, but then it gradually increased to the point where I was constantly in pain, whether I was working or not. It disrupted every aspect of my life. My work performance was declining, my mental health was suffering, and I could no longer enjoy things I once did, like outdoor activities, working out, and socializing with friends. Now pain was ever-present on my mind. I went from rarely thinking about pain, to pain being all I thought about.

During this time, I saw everyone I could think of; chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists, physical therapists, personal trainers, and more. While these treatments helped some, I was still in considerable pain, and my quality of life was quite compromised. I didn't know this at the time, but I was spinning my wheels because I wasn't adjusting the SOURCE of my pain, which was my behavior in the operatory.

I decided to re-learn ergonomics (due to the fact I felt like I had forgotten everything I learned in school about positioning, neutral posture, etc.). I took some courses, read some studies, and started implementing changes in the operatory. I almost immediately felt the difference. I had less pain, more energy, and I found the joy of practicing dental hygiene again. When my pain was at its worst, I started to resent my job and my patients. This is not me at all! But that's what pain does; it turns you into someone you're not.

As I learned more about ergonomics and felt the difference it made, a light bulb went off. I thought, "what if I could help other dental clinicians with their ergonomics? What if I could be that person I wished I had when I struggled?" I knew I was not the only one in dentistry struggling with posture, ergonomics, and pain. So I decided to return to school, get certified in ergonomics, and start a business. Just like that, I was an entrepreneur.

Looking back, I think I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Over the years, I've had ideas for products or businesses but never took action. When this idea came, however, it was almost as if I didn't think about it at all; I just acted.

Since it was over COVID, I got certified online as a Certified

Ergonomics Assessment Specialist. Unfortunately, there is no "dental ergonomics" certification or training available, so the program I did was about general principles of ergonomics. After I got certified, I had to figure out how to apply this to dentistry. I observed many clinicians that were gracious enough to let me watch them practice, so I could discover the unique challenges we face in dentistry. I had a pretty good grasp on hygienists' issues, but what about dentists, assistants, and the front desk?

Developing my program allowed me to combine what I know as a hygienist, my new knowledge of ergonomics, and my passion for helping others. After some time and many observations, I had a clearer picture of the unique challenges we ALL face in dentistry and developed my assessment and coaching program.

Getting my business started was one of the most challenging things I've ever done. I didn't have any business experience, so I hired a coach to help me navigate getting up and running, and I'm so glad I did! My business, PosturePros, is a little over one year old. I still practice clinically about 1-2 days a week. The rest of the time is focused on my clients, my social media platforms, and giving CE on ergonomics across the country to dental and dental hygiene associations.

I absolutely relish my appointments with my clients. I love spending time with them, assessing their habits, and discovering ways they can practice safer. While I see some common themes with each practitioner type, everyone is unique, and the solutions are not cookie-cutter. That's what I like: the challenge of developing solutions for everyone.

My experience as a hygienist has prepared me well for being an ergonomics coach. Hygienists are very detail oriented, which has served me well in this new role. When I'm with a client, I assess so many details. How they are sitting/standing, their patient positioning, their operatory layout, how they move around their operatory, their instrument/supply placement, and so much more. I am assessing the client from their head to their feet, and nothing gets left out!

operatory. When we have a trainer helping us at the gym, they watch our form and posture and advise ways to exercise most effectively without getting hurt. This is EXACTLY what I do in the op.

I love this new life I've created for myself. It's challenging, humbling, exciting, confusing, scary, joyful, and many more emotions depending on the day! I sometimes feel like I'm getting the hang of it, then at times, I feel just as lost as I did at the beginning.

I have discovered the incredible power of networking and asking for guidance. I've always been very independent and rarely ask for help. But I have learned that you cannot do it alone, especially being a baby entrepreneur. There are people out there, like those in the DEW network, that have been there and are eager to help. It's still not a natural reflex for me to ask for help, but it's getting easier, especially when there are many successful, smart, and caring women entrepreneurs.

Being an entrepreneur is so different and much more than I thought it would be. It takes considerable time, effort, and mental toughness, but the rewards far outweigh any roadblocks I have faced. If you are thinking about starting a business, don't discount your internal power or the power that others have. You have NO IDEA what you're capable of.

About the author:

Ms. Stephanie Botts has been a clinical dental hygienist for over 14 years. She is a Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist providing both in-office and virtual ergonomics consulting and coaching to dental professionals. She also provides CE to dental and dental hygiene associations on the topic of ergonomics. Her experience as a clinical dental hygienist and ergonomics expert has allowed her to recognize the unique challenges of practicing pain-free in the dental setting. Stephanie believes that by learning effective strategies to optimize proper ergonomics both inside and outside the operatory, dental professionals can practice pain-free and ensure career longevity.