Inside Dental Hygiene (IDH): How does magnification level impact daily hygiene work, and is there an ideal starting point for new users?

Becky Smith, CRDH, EdD, FADHA: Using magnification loupes in providing dental hygiene care is an absolute necessity, but it wasn’t always this way. Back when I was in dental hygiene school, loupes were not a thing. When hygienists first started using them it was seen as pretentious by many dentists. But nowadays we know the tremendous help they are, not just in provider ergonomics but also in providing the best treatment for our patients. When using loupes, our visibility is better. Because everything in the oral cavity is magnified, we are able to see things we might ordinarily miss using our normal vision. Better visibility leads to better technique because we are better able to adapt our instruments to the tooth surface and provide more comfort to our patients. Ergonomically, our posture is improved, which leads to fewer musculoskeletal problems. Loupes come in different magnification levels, but which one a dental hygienist uses depends on what they are most comfortable with. As a starting point 2.5x magnification is recommended, but I know of dental hygienists who use 5x magnification.

IDH: What ergonomic benefits do quality loupes offer hygienists, especially when used consistently?

Smith: Several years ago manufacturers finally started designing loupes that are ergonomically ideal. Today, the best loupes are designed to protect musculoskeletal health and, subsequently, prolong one’s career. Properly fitted loupes reduce the need to lean forward and to bend one’s head and neck, and they promote spinal alignment and upright posture. Consistently using loupes helps prevent neck, shoulder, and back strain. As mentioned, properly fitted loupes can significantly reduce the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders, which affect most clinical dental hygienists.

IDH: Are there any features hygienists should look for before making an investment?

Smith: Magnification loupes are an investment in one’s career, and the smart dental hygienist knows how to look for certain features that will benefit them. However, not all dental hygienists have the budget to purchase the loupes they would love and sometimes have to go with the loupes they just really like. Magnification options (do I start with 2x or 3x, or do I want a higher magnification?), declination angle (a steep declination angle minimizes neck flexion and supports ergonomic posture), working distance and depth of field (working distance for a short clinician is different than for a tall clinician, and a wider depth of field allows movement without losing focus), weight and frame design (obviously, the lighter the frame, the less neck strain), lighting integration (do I get an attached light with an external battery pack, or do I get one with the light built into the frames, essentially a cordless light?), durability and hygiene (waterproof and disinfectant-resistant materials are best), and ergonomic innovations (ergo loupes, which make one seem as if they are looking straight ahead, ensure neutral positioning even during indirect vision procedures) are all features dental hygienists should consider. Also, look for a company that offers great customer service, lifetime warranties, and temporary replacement during repairs.

IDH: What’s the key takeaway here?

Smith: Magnification loupes are a must for the modern dental hygienist. We’ve become dependent on them to be able to do our job. For the dental hygienist using them for the first time there is an adjustment period, but the more you use them, the more you become accustomed to them and eventually cannot imagine working without them.