TO BE or NOT TO BE WITH LOUPES?
- Anita
- Feb 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 16
Let's explore the need of dental loupes for dental professionals.
You have been in the profession for couple of years or more and wondering if you need loupes or better ones you already have. .
After each clinical day, you begin to feel tired. You notice your posture seems off, and you start experience neck and back pain...
Welcome to My Blog dedicated to #dentalprofessionals - #dentists, #dentaltherapists, #dentalhygienists, #dentalnurses and #dentalassistants who are suffering from #muscularskeletalpain, #RSI from working in #dentistry.
#1 RESEARCH
Research is your first point at your finger tips. You start exploring options with doctor Google.
Once you start googling the algorithm will take you to attractive adverts created by companies selling loupes.
( this article is NOT endorsed by any loupes company! )
#2 CHOOSING LOUPES
Loupes are designed to improve your precision, comfort and overall efficiency during procedures.
There are two main types of loupes for dental professionals.
Non - ergonomics & ergo loupes.
They also differ in magnification. Depending on your role in dental practice you should choose your magnification.
If you are a dental hygienist 3.5 magnification is probably enough for you. As a dental implantologist or cosmetic dentist you will need a greater precision therefore you need to choose greater magnification. If you are a dentist performing different procedures you will need variable magnification.
Am a dental nurse / assistant. Do I need dental loupes?
Short answer is no.
However if you are an implant nurse / assistant you might benefit from wearing loupes to see what the implantologist is doing during procedure.
Today, you have the option to select a lightweight loupes.
#3 GETTING YOUR LOUPES
So you take a plunge and contact few loupe reps to try and discuss your options with them.
Buying loupes is an investment. Therefore you want to take time to select the right ones for you.
The good pair of loupes should make your work easier and help your muscular skeletal issues.
#4 MISSING PUZZLE
I have met so many dental professionals that in spite of using loupes they still experience neck or back pain. There is a missing puzzle....
Missing puzzle is your BODY.
We need to work within our body while we work in dentistry. Your body is your another tool on the road to the recovery.
It is essential to use correct body ergonomics during your working day.
If you decide to get loupes as an ergonomic specialist I would recommend to wear ergonomic loupes only.
Non ergonomic loupes will bring the things closer to you but will not correct your posture leading to more muscular skeletal issues eventually.
#5: Does every dental professional need loupes?
Do we have to purchase loupes to practice the best dental service for our patients?
Let's think about what loupes would do for you.
improve vision
improve posture
improve precision
Let's dissect each of them:
Vision: If you work as an aesthetic dentist or dental therapist, implantologist you will need an impeccable vision to perform with impeccable precision.
If you work as a dental hygienist it is not about removing every spec of calculus. Science has proven that the calculus does not cause periodontitis. As we all know it is the quality of oral hygiene your patients perform at home themselves.
If you work as a dental hygienist in a very busy dental practice where you are struggling with time using loupes might feel frustrating.
Your vision will improve with your new loupes therefore you will want to spend more time with your patient. The time you don't really have.
It is entirely possible to work as a dental hygienist or a dental nurse / assistant without loupes and without compromising your posture and getting back and neck pain. Contact LOOSE HANDS if you need more help:
Comment below whether you use loupes, what type of loupes you use. Also let me know if you found this article useful.
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