Magnification loupes influence on neck and trunk flexion of dental hygienists while scaling—A pilot study

Abstract

Objective Work‐related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common in the dental hygiene profession. Awkward postures contribute to MSDs and magnification loupes have been suggested to reduce this risk factor and minimize MSDs. Methods After IRB approval, 24 hygienists were enrolled in the study: twelve hygienists wearing loupes with a standard manufacturer determined declination angle (control) and 12 hygienists wearing loupes with a custom measured declination angle (experimental). To measure changes in neck and trunk flexion, accelerometers were placed on the occipital region of head, cervical vertebrae C5, and thoracic vertebrae T5 and baseline posture was recorded. Typodonts with artificial calculus simulated the oral environment. Participants were randomly assigned to wear their designated loupes during the first or second trial of the experiment and scaled in each quadrant (UR, LR, UL, LL) of the mouth for two minutes. Participants completed the scaling task twice: in the loupes and no loupes condition in a counterbalanced order. Three‐way mixed design ANOVA was used to determine posture differences in neck and trunk posture. Results Those wearing custom loupes (M = 16.52, SD = 6.40) had significantly less trunk flexion while scaling compared to hygienists wearing standard loupes (M = 22.27, SD = 6.40), F(1, 22) = 7.14, P = .01. Neck flexion was not significantly affected while scaling between loupes vs no loupes or loupes type condition, (P’s > .05). Conclusion Posture was partially impacted by loupes type. Custom loupes resulted in less trunk flexion. Neck flexion was not affected by either loupes type.

Musculoskeletal disorders related to dental hygienist profession

“…gym ball or other alternative seats) was not enough to be taken into consideration. Among the precautions that can be useful in improving ergonomics, it is clear that the use of magnification systems makes not necessary to get closer to the patient, in this way, the operator does not need to move their head forward 31–33 . In our sample, a smaller presence of MSDs and neck‐related symptoms were observed in the professionals wearing loupes as opposed to the ones that suffer from these symptoms and do not wearing them.…”

“…Among the precautions that can be useful in improving ergonomics, it is clear that the use of magnification systems makes not necessary to get closer to the patient, in this way, the operator does not need to move their head forward. [31][32][33] In our sample, a smaller presence of MSDs and neck-related symptoms were observed in the professionals wearing loupes as opposed to the ones that suffer from these symptoms and do not wearing them. The preventive use of these systems is, therefore, highly recommended, observing the proportional lower rate of MSDs in our sample; it is due to the fact that it takes to maintain an ergonomically correct posture with a subsequent decrease in the inflammation of neck and back muscles.…”

“…Therefore, the professional tends once more to disregard their own health in favour of the professional practice and work routine. 33,36 As far as the difference between acute and chronic pain is concerned, it was quite similarly distributed, both for the two types of pain and for the sexes. What stood out, was how the type of pain influenced the seeking or not of medical treatment, as the one suffering from chronic pain turned more to the help of a professional, if compared to the ones suffering from acute pain.…”

“…Although when compared to the ones not affected, the percentage of absenteeism rises in the ones affected by MSDs being statistically significant and proving how MSDs can negatively affect the efficiency, the productive and economic aspects of the life of the professional. Therefore, the professional tends once more to disregard their own health in favour of the professional practice and work routine 33,36 …”

Changing Frequency of the Use of Intraoperative Equipment Among Neurosurgeons, Neurosurgery Residency Faculty, and Neurosurgery Residents

“…Unlike surgical microscopes, in many designs, these cannot be adjusted. Individualized loupes have been found to promote improved surgical ergonomics compared to fixed standard loupes, producing fewer work-related musculoskeletal disorders [ 1 ]. While loupes are not accounted for within hospital expenses (and therefore fall onto individuals), they still bring a great benefit to surgical services, particularly when operating on structures between 1 and 10 mm that require magnification but do not warrant the use of microscopes [ 2 ].…”