I am a dental hygienist who was injured at work due to repetitive motion, a common hazard in our profession. Despite the fact that my injuries were clearly work-related, and even confirmed by doctors, the insurance company handling my workers’ compensation claim denied its responsibility. They went as far as paying off a new doctor I had never met before to contradict every existing study and instead claim that being a dental hygienist does not cause such injuries.

According to USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy (2022) Nearly 70% of dental hygienists report experiencing discomfort in their forearms/wrists/hands, primarily due to the use of dental scaling instruments. Dental scaling requires sustained pinching and repetitive movements that place high load on the forearm and hand muscles. This high muscle load, combined with pinching and non-neutral wrist positions, approximately doubles the risk of developing hand and median nerve pathology due to strain on the tendons and compression of the median nerve.  Scaling of more than four hours per day has been directly associated with pathology.

According to National Institutions of Health (2022) The reason for the presence of those disturb is related to long-term overload of the musculoskeletal system due to awkward position, performing repetitive movements and using thin and vibrating tools.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2002), dental hygienist ranks first among all professions in the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome per 1,000 employees.

This is not just about me. This is about all dental hygienists who are at risk of career-ending injuries due to repetitive motion and are often unjustly denied their rightful workers’ compensation. The current laws do not favor clinicians like us, leading to unresolved cases that can result in permanent damage.

Moreover, these unresolved cases can also lead to malpractice and permanent injury to patients - an unacceptable risk in any healthcare setting.

We need change now. We need laws that protect us from being easily misrepresented when claiming for workers’ compensation after sustaining job-related injuries. We demand justice for all dental hygienists who have been unfairly treated by insurance companies and left with potentially career-ending injuries without any form of compensation or resolution to their injuries.

Please sign this petition if you believe in fair treatment and protection for all workers including dental hygienists from workplace hazards.