CONCLUSIONS Based on a limited number of studies , the use of ergonomic saddle seats and dental loupes leads to improved working postures .
The use of loupes appears to relieve shoulder , arm and h and pain .
However , their effect on neck pain is scarce .
None of the studies reported on the effect of the saddle seats on musculoskeletal pain .
OBJECTIVES Musculoskeletal disorders affect a high percentage of dentists , dental hygienists and therapists .
Static and awkward working postures are considered as major risk factors .
Proper seat selection and use of magnification loupes are promoted for their ergonomic benefits .
The aim of this review was to evaluate the existing empirical evidence on the effect of the above interventions on ( i ) correction of poor posture and ( ii ) reduction in musculoskeletal pain .
Effect of magnification loupes on dental hygiene student posture.
The chair-side work posture of dental hygienists has long been a concern because of health-related problems potentially caused or exacerbated by poor posture . The purpose of this study was to investigate if using magnification loupes improved dental hygiene students ' posture during provision of treatment . The treatment chosen was h and -scaling , and the effect of the timing of introduction of the loupes to students was also examined . Thirty-five novice dental hygiene students took part in the study . Each student was assessed providing dental hygiene care with and without loupes , thus controlling for innate differences in natural posture . Students were r and omized into two groups . Group one used loupes in the first session and did not use them for the second session . Group two reversed this sequence . At the end of each session , all students were videotaped while performing scaling procedures . Their posture was assessed using an adapted version of Branson et al. 's Posture Assessment Instrument ( PAI ) . Four raters assessed students at three time periods for nine posture components on the PAI . A paired t-test compared scores with and without loupes for each student . Scores showed a significant improvement in posture when using loupes ( p<0.0001 ) , and these improvements were significantly more pronounced for students starting loupes immediately on entering the program compared with students who delayed until the second session ( p<0.1 ) . These results suggest a significant postural benefit is realized by requiring students to master the use of magnification loupes as early as possible within the curriculum
CONCLUSIONS Based on a limited number of studies , the use of ergonomic saddle seats and dental loupes leads to improved working postures .
The use of loupes appears to relieve shoulder , arm and h and pain .
However , their effect on neck pain is scarce .
None of the studies reported on the effect of the saddle seats on musculoskeletal pain .
OBJECTIVES Musculoskeletal disorders affect a high percentage of dentists , dental hygienists and therapists .
Static and awkward working postures are considered as major risk factors .
Proper seat selection and use of magnification loupes are promoted for their ergonomic benefits .
The aim of this review was to evaluate the existing empirical evidence on the effect of the above interventions on ( i ) correction of poor posture and ( ii ) reduction in musculoskeletal pain .