Are you a dental assistant or hygienist and you are wondering the type of shoes to buy? If YES, here are 10 best shoes for dental assistant.
According to industry reports, the average dental assistant takes about 12,000 steps a day which is equivalent to walking five miles. There’s a lot of walking back and forth from office, waiting room, the patient in the chair, the lab and back again multiple times a day.
Therefore, if you wear the right shoes and take care of your feet, your feet won’t suffer. Wearing improper, unsupportive shoes can lead to other physical ailments like an aching back or chronic knee pain.
Have it in mind that the right pair of shoes can make a world of difference. It is very important to find shoes that offer the proper amount of arch support plus ample width and length room. Flexibility for your feet should not be overlooked.
Dental assisting is a profession that involves a huge amount of pressure on the feet, particularly on the balls of the feet. This amount of pressure can lead to severe pains in the muscles of the legs, the hips, and the back. A flexible shoe can help relieve the pressure from standing all day.
In addition, dental assistants are also mandated to wear closed toed shoes for personal safety and it’s also required by OSHA.
Crocs have once been a popular choice in the medical and dental industry due to their extremely comfortable and ergonomic features which ensures the weight of the foot is distributed correctly. Howbeit, Crocs are not safe and banned in many healthcare facilities.
The holes in the top of the shoes create health risks in the event anything is dropped on the foot. Tennis shoes, according to experts, are the best shoe for dental assistants. They are built with the purpose of supporting your foot while protecting them.
It’s necessary to find a pair that provides a substantial support all through the arch and lets your foot have a little room to breathe.
Finding the right supportive shoe to provide ease in movement as well as keep you comfortable, should be a priority. Wearing the correct shoes will not only make you feel more comfortable, but it will also improve your posture and the movement of your body.
While having the right training and being personable are all critical qualities for dental assistants, personal appearances are just as important. Aside from the fact that you need to look professional and well groomed, safety should be a top priority. Having the right shoes and accessories will only help you succeed.
Best Shoes for Dental Assistant/Hygienist
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Birkenstock A 360 Clogs
Birkenstock shoes have always been hailed as the current winners for comfort and safety. For medical professionals such as dental hygienists and assistants, these A 630 PU Clog covers check all the right boxes, starting with the enclosed shoe design which protects the feet while at work.
Also note that the non-slip treaded outsole designs in the shoes are great, providing resistant against any surface. The insoles are replaceable and are designed anatomically to protect joints and tendons, it also includes a built in arch support.
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Nurse Mate’s Women Velocity
The Nurse Mate’s Women Velocity Shoes are a great combination of comfort and style. Designed with the feature of Slip in and off, it will ease your day in the long hour work of the dental assistant. Have it in mind that these shoes are neatly built with Full-grain leather that makes them stylish, breathable as well as durable.
This sneaker styled shoe has align corrective orthotic feature that keeps the feet intact and assures additional support and stability. Coupled with the elastic lacing system for a slip in and off, you can use the extra tie-up laces for the extra fitting.
Coming in the category of medical shoes, Nurse Mate’s Women Shoes comes with the feature of waterproof so that they protect your foot from any chemicals and blood. The EVA cushioning, padded tongue, and collar make it more comfortable and lighter in weight.
The rubber outsole is light and shock-absorbing comes with the feature of slip resistance that assures good traction for long walking.
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Nike Air Zoom Pegasus
Even though this shoe was designed for runners, it is made for people who are planning to be on their feet for a long time. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus includes features that protect all parts of the feet.
Starting with the out turned collar which is designed specifically to not rub against your Achilles tendon when walking, protecting the feet from blisters. Note that the midsole of the shoes has a full -length Zoom Air and a soft foam that provides unmatchable cushioning.
The premium design of the insoles offers you a natural heel to toe transition as well. Also, with multiple colour options available, you have the chance to transition into any pair starting from basic black exteriors to bright colours as well. If your work allows you to be a little adventurous with your footwear than a handy pair of Nike Air Zoom Pegasus is your choice.
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Mark Nason Monza Shoes
The Mark Nason DressKnit collection Monza shoes are a reliable and comfortable pair. According to reviews, the knit fabric uppers in these shoes provide a snug yet stretchable fit, it allows for greater breathability as well.
As for the midsole it is lightweight and flexible, equipped with an Air Cooled Memory Foam Lux for elevated cushioning for long periods of time. This exceptional comfort is complemented by a dress cap toe style loafer design, giving it a profession “dress shoes” feel.
The outsoles are functional as well, made from a flexible rubber that has girt and is lightweight. Quite a stylish yet convenient pair these shoes come in 3 colors, black, grey and navy blue. A pop of color, side stitch details with solid fabric collar is apparent in both the grey and navy blue.
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Sketchers Performance Men’s Go Walk 4 Incredible Walking Shoe
Sketchers is a well known brand that offers high quality, comfortable and stylish footwear for men, women, and children. Sketchers Performance Go Walk 4 Incredible Walking Shoe is a must-buy footwear for Dental Assistants. The Incredible Walking shoes come with an easy slip-on feature that makes it easy to wear.
The mesh upper makes it lightweight and breathable, easing you in long walks. In addition, Sneakers has added Bamboo lined foot bed that helps in controlling anti-bacterial odor and keeps your foot free from irritation. The mid-foot area is designed with a tapering design that offers better arch support.
Note that to improve the comfort, innovative 5GEN midsole cushioning is used and this makes it more responsive and shock absorbent. For the extra support, featherweight sock linear is provided that not just keeps your foot intact at its place but with the featherweight quality, you can easily walk for the whole day.
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Anywear Srangel Black
Medical professionals are at times restricted in their purchases because of strict dress codes, but there are exceptions to this. Some places do allow you to get creative with work shoes granted the pair meet industry safety requirements. The Srangel range clogs of Anywear shoes definitely do!
Starting with the most obvious attribute of this pair, it comes in a multitude of designs and patterns on the uppers, each unique and strikingly beautiful.
Coupled with this, the pair of shoes includes a lightweight IMEVA upper and midsole construction, which gives you cushioning and shock absorption. Note that the insole also includes a removable EVA with ventilation holes for breathability.
Made to protect your foots health, the construction of these shoes are strategic with attributes like a universal fit, roomy toe box for extra wiggle room, and vent holes on the side panels to let the air pass through inside of the shoes. Also, the fabric on the insole of these is treated for antimicrobial to reduce odor causing bacteria. Hence, with this pair, you not only feel and look good but smell good too!
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Croc’s Unisex Specialist II Work Clog
Crocs are quite popular for producing footwear for work that helps in long hours of support. Crocs Unisex Specialist II Work Clog is designed for supporting your long hour’s shift which makes it suitable for dental assistants.
Crocs have made this working clog with thick rubber protection in toe and metatarsal regions to protect dental assistants from any spilling and sharp objects. Unlike other crocs, Specialist II Work Clog is made with countered foot beds that give better arch support and nubbed foam foot beds offer your foot a massage-like feeling.
Work Clog is made with a more roomy fit that helps your foot to comparably moving during your work of long hours. Also, note they are really easy to clean with water and soap. The crocs have ventilation ports on the toe box area that allows airflow i.e., makes it breathable. They fit both men’s and women’s feet comfortably and are available in four different color variants.
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Sketchers Women’s Comfort Flex SR HC Pro-Health Care
These professional shoes are designed with a stylish yet professional look that makes them suitable for the workplace. The synthetic sole is constructed with a slip-resistant feature that gives a good grip during all-day walks. The shoes are made with breathable textile material which allows good ventilation.
In addition, this material is water and stain repellent that protects your feet from any spills in the clinic and helps in the easy cleanup.
Air cooling memory foam is inserted in the shoes that allow suitable comfort and support throughout the day. The dual-density midsole cushioning is quite lightweight, flexible and absorbs shocks, provides optimal arch support and comfort to your feet. Additionally, the shoe is covered with translucent synthetic overlays in the toe and heel area.
Also, a smooth synthetic overlay is done at the lace area which all in all makes the shoe quite durable. The lace-up upper and low-top shaft arch gives support to the feet. These are available in different designs and color combinations which make them quite fashionable.
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Merrel Encore Gust Slip-on Shoe
Merrel Encore Gust is a wonderful and an extra comfortable shoe made for those who work throughout the day. The slip-in gear gives it the look of Clog and the leather material design makes it appropriate for wearing in your workplace.
Note that the mesh lining and anti-microbial coating keep the shoe free from moisture and odor. The orthotics removable insoles offer good support for all-day work. M SELECT Grip has a sticky material that provides good traction on slippery surfaces.
EVA foot frame midsole offers better stability and keeps the foot free from fatigue. The Merrel Air Cushion in the heel area absorbs the shock and relives heel from any pain caused by standing for a longer time. Note that for extra support, shank positioned arch support is inserted in the midsole. The M Select outsole makes it quite durable for walking in indoor places like hospitals, clinics, and restaurants.
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New Balance WX608v4 Training Shoe
The New Balance WX608v4 Training Shoe is part of the series of shoes with extreme durability, that not just fits the demand of athletes but also comfortable for the non-athletes. The shoe is made in a way that keeps the foot free from stress and fatigue, which makes it an ideal choice for all those who work as dental assistants.
The IMEVA midsole delivers good support and comfort. For the more comfortability, Dual-density Collar is used that includes a softer density foam which provides nice cushioning against the foot, while a firmer density foam is included for good support to the foot.
Looks are something that women are really concerned with and New Balance WX608v4 Training Shoe satisfies that need. It is available in different patterns and color variants.