Toothpic: An Intraorally-Fixated Dental Camera that Aims to Prevent Musculoskeletal Pain in Dentists

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Dentists perform procedures on 8-12 patients every day for a lifetime of around 60,000 hours. In the US, there are 200,000 practicing dentists, many of whom require dental loupes to operate. However, throughout the field, there is an astounding number of reports of lower back and neck pain due to awkward posture and poor ergonomics when performing procedures. Because of the lack of a device that allows for proper upright posture when operating, dentists are forced into slouched positions that can cause musculoskeletal disorders, which are the leading causes for early retirement among dentists. These issues can decrease workplace efficiency, level of treatment, and number of patients seen, all of which can limit earning potentials for dentists.We have designed an intraorally-fixated camera that will allow dentists to view the operating field from a separate monitor and thus perform dental procedures from a neutral, upright posture, which can help prevent long-term musculoskeletal pain. The device consists of a camera, disposable housing, and dental clamp, as shown in the gallery. While operating, the dentist can adjust the lighting, zoom, pan, and focus of the video feed through a separate joystick controller. Because the device is secured to a dental clamp, the camera moves with the patient and remains secure to the tooth. The device also has features that stabilize it to the dental clamp and allow for adjustment of the field of view.NOTE: The mouth and teeth models were not CADed by the senior design team. Their CADs were included for clarity and demonstration of device function.