Practices and Attitudes of Dental Loupes and Their Relationship to Musculoskeletal Disorders among Dental Practitioners

Abstract

Objective. A dental loupe is a tool used by many dentists and dental students to improve visual field and performance. This study aims to assess the practices and attitudes about dental magnification loupes and their relationship to musculoskeletal disorders. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 400 dental students and dentists in four dental colleges in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The mean age was 28.35 years (SD = 8.50), and 56% of the participants were male. Also, 70.75% were students or interns, while 29.25% were dentists. Data gathering was conducted using a questionnaire that was composed of four sections: demographic, magnification devices usage, attitude toward dental loupes, and the Nordic questionnaire to assess musculoskeletal disorders. Results. A total of 66% of participants had used dental magnification tools before, but only 12.25% were using dental loupes at the time of the study. The main reported advantages of dental loupes were comfort in vision (59.25%) and improved work accuracy (53%), while the main disadvantage was difficulty in visual measurement (28.5%). A total of 73.25% reported that price was the main barrier to the use of dental loupes. Lower back (63.5%), neck (65.25%), and shoulder (46.25%) pain were the most frequently reported areas of discomfort. There was a significant relationship (<0.05) between the use of dental loupes and lowered levels of reported discomfort in the lower back, neck, shoulders, elbows, upper back, and feet. Conclusion. There are few dental professionals who use dental loupes in Saudi Arabia. There was a significant relationship between dental loupes use and reduction of musculoskeletal disorders among dental students and dentists.

Characteristics and attitudes of general and pediatric dentists who use loupes

“…In a study conducted among 370 dental practitioners in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, only 23.8% reported using loupes, although over 90% were aware of the use of loupes in modern dentistry 18 . In a study conducted among 400 dentists and dental students in Saudi Arabia, only 12.25% reported using dental loupes in their clinical practice 19 , while in another study in Saudi Arabia the prevalence of loupes uses among dental professionals-most of them general dentistswas 32.4% 20 . In a study conducted among dentists working in private clinics in Switzerland, 64% reported owning dental loupes 5 , while in a study conducted in the United Kingdom, the prevalence of loupes use among general dentists was 44% 21 .…”

“…Loupes' high price was also considered a disadvantage by more participants who did not use loupes. Price was a limiting factor to purchasing loupes in other studies as well [18][19][20][21] , while Basunbul found that the importance of magnification was a consideration, before price 20 .…”

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

“…Faculty should be using the intraoperative equipment at rates similar to or greater than the nationally accepted practice to help residents become comfortable using the equipment and receive the best training. There often exist discrepancies between faculty and resident perceptions of intraoperative learning and treatment [ 3 ]. Increased usage of common intraoperative equipment may narrow these perceptive discrepancies.…”

The Relationship Between Surgical Loupes Usage, Workplace Ergonomics, and Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Saudi Ophthalmologists

“…8,10 This nding was replicated in a study by Aboalshamat et al, which demonstrated signi cantly lowered levels of musculoskeletal discomfort with the use of dental loupes (<0.05). 11 Conversely, Burton et al reported that static positioning associated with loupe use could cause dentists to experience back or neck pain. 8 Our study showed that 82% of participants experienced musculoskeletal pain attributed to work in the operating room.…”

“…Conducting the study with a higher number of participants could yield more signi cant results.Previous studies have studied this hypothesis across different surgical specialties with varying results (Table 5). 6,7,11,12,[17][18][19] Conversely, amount of exercise was associated with a lower prevalence of pain. Four or more days of exercise per week signi cantly reduced the likelihood of experiencing work-related MSK pain.…”