Introducing loupes to clinical practice: dental hygienists experiences and opinions

Recent literature has identified a number of potential advantages in wearing loupes for dental hygienists, including improved quality of care and ergonomics. The aim of the study was to determine dental hygienists' opinions about wearing loupes.

A short online survey was distributed to all dental hygienists who had recently participated in a study investigating the efficacy of loupes on musculoskeletal disorders; all had only worn loupes for a 6-month period, and prior to the study had not worn loupes. All of those invited completed the survey (n = 12), achieving a 100% response rate.

The majority of respondents noted that the loupes were adaptable to wear; however, only one-quarter of hygienists surveyed were wearing them often following the study. Respondents identified that the biggest advantage to loupes was calculus removal (91.7%), and most indicated that they felt the quality of their work increased when wearing loupes (75%). The biggest disadvantage to wearing loupes was the adjustment period (50%), with limited depth of vision, headache, vertigo and infection control noted by at least one-third of respondents.

This study revealed that hygienists identify both benefits and limitations to wearing loupes, and therefore, ongoing support may be required for hygienists adopting their use in clinical practice.