Hand Injuries in Dental Practice


This course discusses the most common hand injuries sustained in dental practice. IT IS NOT VALID FOR C.E. CREDIT IN CALIFORNIA.

Learning Objectives:


  1. List three etiologic categories that encompass hand injuries likely to be acquired by dental health professionals in practice.
  2. State which hand injury is the most likely to be suffered by the dental health professional.
  3. Identify the area of the body where the majority of muscles controlling digital motion are located.
  4. Recognize the two most common compression neuropathies.
  5. Describe three medical conditions that can predispose an individual to carpal tunnel syndrome.
  6. List two functions that the ulnar nerve provides for the hand.


The human hand is a compact, elegant, strong, durable and sensitive instrument that functions as the primary manipulator of the environment. This unique functional niche places the hand simultaneously in a position of great responsibility and considerable vulnerability. This is especially true for dentists, dental assistants, hygienists and dental laboratory technicians who depend upon their hands for their livelihood while using sharp instruments in a contaminated and confined workspace and often in an ergonomically unfriendly environment. This course discusses the diagnosis and treatment of the major types of injuries for which the dental profession is at risk, namely trauma, compression neuropathies, overuse syndrome and infection.

  1. Introduction
  2. Trauma
  3. Compression Neuropathies
  4. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  5. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
  6. Overuse Syndrome
  7. Infection
  8. Human Bite Wound
  9. Paronychia
  10. Herpetic Whitlow


There are no references for this course.

American Dental Association is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.
