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Abstract
Purpose: Evidence suggests that musculoskeletal disorders are a significant health issue for dental health care professionals. The purpose of this study was to compare head tilt angles among dental hygiene students and faculty members when wearing through-the-lens (TTL) as compared to vertically-adjustable-front-lens-mounted (VAFLM) magnification loupes while simulating dental hygiene scaling procedures (DHSP) on a manikin. A secondary purpose was to compare head tilt angles when wearing TTL and VAFLM loupes, to safety glasses while simulating DHSPs.
Methods: A within-subjects, crossover design was used with a convenience sample of dental hygiene students and clinical faculty (n=29). Head tilt angles were measured while participants simulated DHSP wearing TTL and VAFLM magnification loupes. Additionally, head tilt angles were calculated in a subgroup of ten participants while performing DHSP with safety glasses and with TTL and VAFLM loupes. Static photographic images were taken at three time points for each lens type while working in the maxillary and mandibular arches. A video analysis software program was used to calculate calculate head tilt measurements at each time point for each lens types. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Cohen’s d.
Results: Mean head tilt angles were significantly lower when the VAFLM loupes were used in both maxillary and mandibular arches (p = 0.000). Cohen’s effect size value suggested a high practical significance for VAFLM loupes with the mandibular arch (d = 1.21) and a medium to high significance for the maxillary arch (d = 0.70).
Conclusion: Participants demonstrated greatly reduced head tilt angles when using VAFLM loupes as compared to TTL. The magnitude of effect size suggests VAFLM loupes may have a positive impact on in reducing excessive head tilt angles, a known risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders among dental health care professionals.
- Received February 6, 2020.
- Accepted March 10, 2020.
- Copyright © 2021 The American Dental Hygienists’ Association
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