of dental hygienists have experienced, or are currently experiencing, a musculoskeletal disorder due to their work.
with 31% of those hygienists experiencing neck pain and 25% experiencing shoulder pain.
Because clinicians often need to contort themselves into awkward positions to be able to see inside the mouth, this poor posture and positioning can wreak havoc on the musculoskeletal system over time, leading to chronic pain, discomfort, and even disability.2
While MSDs seem to “come with the territory” of working in the dental field, there are proven adjustments you can make to help extend the length of your career, while preventing future musculoskeletal damage and the pain that accompanies it.
Enter ergonomic loupes.
The solution
In an article published in the January-February 2024 edition of RDH Magazine, authored by prominent dental hygienist ergonomics advocate Caitlin Parsons, Admetec’s ergonomic loupes were touted in a study encompassing both dental students and post-graduate students. In this study, Admetec collaborated with Maria Grazia Piancino, Associate Professor at the University of Turin-Italy, C.I.R. Dental School, Department of Surgical Sciences, to compare the stress on eight symmetrical back muscles using our ergonomic loupes and traditional, TTL loupes. The study found the ergo loupes activated a more symmetrical use of muscles, as well as reduced muscular peaks and stress on the back.
Designed to upgrade visibility and posture compared to traditional, through-the-lens (TTL) loupes, ergo loupes are a necessary solution to safeguard your well-being, extend your career longevity, and of course, maintain patient care.
The refractive prisms in ergonomic loupes allow you to sit up straight with zero or nominal neck tilt, while preserving clear visibility into the patient’s mouth.
Additionally, because ergonomic loupes require proper posture in order to effectively use them, it becomes harder for bad habits to take hold.
In addition to providing comfort, ergonomic loupes can transform the way you work, and ultimately, the way you are able to care for your patients. A magnified, illuminated view ensures greater accuracy, and subsequently more efficiency.
Admetec knows loupes
Admetec not only understands the literal “pain points” dental hygienists face in their work every day, but we also actually listen to our customers when we develop our products.
The result? Our Ergo series, the world’s only ergonomic loupes providing up to 10-times magnification in an ultra-lightweight construction. An unparalleled combination of magnification potential and user comfort, these loupes are customized to each individual wearer through a multi-factor process. The loupes’ precision vision and exceedingly light weight help you work more comfortably and effectively for extended periods of time. Ergo is available in six different levels of magnification: 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 7.5x and 10x.
2. Ergonomics. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Accessed January 10, 2021. https://www.osha.gov/
