No dentist would argue against the fact that performing dental procedures from morning till late afternoon can leave you experiencing headache, back pain, shoulder stress, eye strain, and neck fatigue at the end of the day. This morning I came to visit an international dental forum and the first thing I noticed is that many threads talk about occupational pains and "dental hunch back".

I could not help but post my own opinion on one of the forum threads. Upon reading the conversation on that certain thread, I learned that most of the dentists are working without any optical magnification aid. Some of them are using the traditional dental microscope and only a few are using dental loupes. While many dental loupes users share their good experience with their optical device, others are ranting about why they still experience musculoskeletal pains even when using their loupes.

Most common dental loupes misconception

One of the common misconceptions that users believe is that if you use dental magnification loupes when performing dental procedures, you will no longer experience any muscle pain. The fact is, it is not always the case. Why is this so?

Dental optical loupes are not created equal. There is no such thing as "one size fits all" when it comes to dental loupes, either. Moreover, every dentist has his own unique optical and personal needs and requirements. A particular dental loupe may work well for you but it may not fit your friend or colleague. This only means that, in order for you to maximize the benefits that the dental magnifying loupes offer, they must be tailored to your individual requirements and needs.

How to determine if you have picked the wrong loupes?

If you are still experiencing headaches, eyes strain, and musculoskeletal pain even when using your dental loupes, one thing is for certain, your current loupes do not fit you well and they are not the right one for you.

But how do you know if such loupe is the right one for you? Simply, if the dental magnification loupes allow you to work for extended periods of time without feeling any eyestrain, neck fatigue, lower and upper back pain, headache, and shoulder stress, then you can say that such loupes perfectly fit you.

Picking the dental loupes that enhance your posture

When purchasing dental loupe, pick the one that matches the measurements of your working distance and angle of declination. The recommended angle of declination should be less than 20 degrees while the working distance should be kept at its maximum measurement to make sure that you can work well and still be able to see your patient's oral cavity while sitting or standing in an upright position.

Apart from enhancing your visual acuity, dental optical loupes are also designed to minimize the occupational pain that dentists usually experience when working with just their bare eyes. Ergonomically designed loupes help you maintain an upright and healthy posture while working. They let you see your operating field clearly and closely within your working distance and without the need for you to lean closer towards the mouth of your patient.