Ergonomics and Team Interaction in Dentistry: The Role of the Dental Assistant in Clinical Practice

Relevance. Modern dental practice is characterized by increasing volume and complexity of clinical procedures, higher demands for treatment quality, patient safety, and improved working conditions for medical personnel. Under such circumstances, the ergonomic organization of dental appointments becomes particularly important. This involves rational workspace planning, optimization of working movements, and reduction of physical strain on members of the dental team. Purpose. To analyze the role of the dental assistant in the ergonomic organization of clinical appointments and team interaction in dental practice. Materials and Methods. Scientific publications devoted to dental ergonomics, four-handed dentistry, and the role of the dental assistant, as well as the authors’ own clinical experience, were used. Information search and analysis of scientific sources were conducted using scientometric databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar), with the selection of relevant scientific publications, review articles, and methodological recommendations. Conclusion. The ergonomic organization of dental appointments is based on effective team interaction between the dentist and the assistant, particularly through four-handed dentistry. Active involvement of the assistant in the clinical process contributes to the optimization of working movements, improvement of treatment quality, reduction of professional workload, and creation of safe and comfortable working conditions for the dental team, confirming the assistant’s key role in modern clinical practice.