Your stool might be costing you more than you realize.

Most dental professionals spend more than 1,500 hours per year sitting, yet very few of us think about whether our stool is helping or hurting us.

In this solo episode of Straight Up With Steph®, I share my personal journey with chronic low back pain, the ergonomic mistakes I made early in my career, and the one equipment change that completely transformed the way I practice dentistry.

We'll discuss the science behind sitting posture, why traditional operator stools may be contributing to pain and injury, and how proper stool selection and adjustment can support career longevity.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why I ignored my stool for years—and paid the price
• How chronic low back pain nearly changed my career path
• The hidden emotional toll of persistent pain
• The biomechanics of sitting and spinal loading
• Why hip angle matters more than most clinicians realize
• Traditional stools vs saddle stools: key differences
• How to properly adjust your stool for better posture and positioning
• Why practice owners should view ergonomic equipment as a retention strategy
• The true financial cost of pain, injury, and missed work
• Simple ways to incorporate more standing into your clinical day

Whether you're a dentist, hygienist, assistant, student, office manager, or practice owner, this episode will help you rethink one of the most important pieces of equipment in your operatory.

If you found value in this episode, please share it with a colleague, office manager, or practice owner who could benefit from learning more about ergonomics and career longevity.

If you’ll be at RDH UOR 2026, please come by Hager booth 513 7/18/2026 so we can meet in person! I’ll also be presenting my course “Are You A Slouch Potato” 7/18/26 from 10:30-12:30 and I’d love you to be there 😊

Topic Discussed: dental ergonomics, saddle stool dentistry, dental back pain, dental hygienist pain, low back pain dentistry, ergonomic dental stool, dental posture, career longevity in dentistry

To watch on YouTube, click here

Click here for stool adjustment video

Click here for Bambach stool (use code POSTURE15 FOR 15% discount)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes.

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