Case Study
Disability Services That Help
Get Employees Back to Work
Customer Profile
- Profession: Dentist
- Age: 47 years-old
Situation
- Developed carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis in hands, cervical disc disease and shoulder tendonitis.
- Underwent carpal tunnel release and right thumb fusion.
- Unable to work full-time as a dentist due to pain, numbness and tremor in
right upper extremity.
- Working part-time as a dental instructor, consultant at an insurance
company, and private-practice dentist doing minor procedures 10
hours/week. Also provided dental services to state correctional facility one
day/month.
Guardian’s Disability Services in Action
- Vocational rehabilitation specialist referred for an ergonomic evaluation by
a certified hand and occupational therapist who specializes in work with
dentists and surgeons.
- Specialist noted that he had very poor ergonomics and made several
recommendations for him to improve his technique, as well as
recommended adjustments to his current equipment and work space to
alleviate neck, shoulder and hand pain.
- Funding was provided for ergonomic equipment, including an ergonomic
chair and appropriately sized and fitted loupes
Improved Outcome
- Successfully returned to work full-time in his dental practice.
Disability Service Highlights
- Outstanding claims
coordination
and assistance
- Personalized, proactive case
management with medical and
rehabilitation specialists
- Rehabilitation services –
education, retraining and job
placement
- Vocational assistance – physical worksite and job duties modifications
