Aches and pains are not uncommon after a long, hard day at work. But some professions, including dentistry, involve higher incidences of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort than others. Not surprisingly, bending over patients day after day is, quite literally, a pain in the neck and can sometimes put an end to a career far too soon.
Riddled with neck and back pain at the end of a long workday, hygienist Elysse Morris understands the value of proper ergonomics while providing patient care. She was searching for a loupe that not only provided the clear vision and magnification required for precise dental procedures but one that also helped improve her posture and ergonomics. Orascoptic delivered on both accounts with their High Definition Ergo Loupe with 3.5x magnification.
“I wanted a loupe that helped support my posture and ergonomics while also providing very clear vision, magnification, light, and the great customer care that I had experienced in the past from Orascoptic,” shared Morris. After purchasing the Ergo loupe, she reported, “The Ergo loupes are incredible. I feel so much better at the end of the day. My neck and back feel better, and I can see so much better, making my job so much easier. I feel rejuvenated in my career using these loupes.”
Magnification & Field of View
Equipped with 3.5x magnification to improve vision for precise dental procedures, the lightweight Ergo loupe offers a 3.3-inch field width and a 3.1-inch field depth. Before purchasing the Ergo loupe, hygienist Vaishali Makwana “was seeking more magnification” as well as relief for back and neck pain. “I love the magnification, and the Ergo loupe really helps keep my posture straight,” she explained, although she said her field of vision is sometimes affected when she wears the loupes with patients who can’t lay back all the way. For Dr. Rachel Moon, the “higher magnification has helped me see my crown prep margins clearer.” Calling it “overall, a well-built product,” Dr. Keith Mahipala would like an easy way to clean the ocular pieces.
Clinician Ergonomics & Comfort
Designed with refractive prisms to allow clinicians to sit up straight and reduce neck tilt, the HDL Ergo loupe is an ergonomic option that delivers all-day comfort, according to the manufacturer, and the evaluating clinicians seemed to wholeheartedly agree. After years of hunching over trying to see closer, Maria Zwolski started having neck and upper back issues. She decided to try the Ergo loupe and, much to her surprise, was rewarded with a “life-changing” experience. “I can sit up straight with my neck and upper back in correct alignment. I can work without pain and strain and therefore can work more and longer in my field,” she declared, adding that the loupe’s design encourages “proper body alignment.” Because of the loupe’s ergonomic design, Makwana said, “I’m not in pain anymore, which helps me practice longer hours and see more patients.”
For Dr. Matt Hagarty, the Ergo loupe “helps keep my neck and spine in a more comfortable position while seeing patients.” A Minnesota dentist “really likes the better posture and reduction of neck pain,” and the loupes “have relieved a significant cant amount of neck pain” for Dr. Moon.
Dr. Mahipala said it allows him “to sit with my head positioned forward rather than bent, which improves ergonomics,” but he sometimes experiences too much pressure on the bridge of his nose. Naming the better ergonomic design as her favorite feature, hygienist Keri Ramsey said she has “no more head, neck, or shoulder pain” since adopting the Ergo loupes.
Hoping to “improve ergonomics so I can practice doing what I love for many years to come,” Danielle Marchaza, RDH, praised “the neutral position of my head and neck” and said, “Keeping my head more upright is relieving chronic neck pain.” She also noticed that her eyelashes rub on the loupe and leave mascara smudges, requiring her to clean them frequently.
Customer Service & Support
“Throughout my career, I have heard stories of subpar customer service from other hygienists about other loupe companies, so I wanted to remain loyal to Orascoptic,” shared Morris, who has had nothing but excellent service and support from Orascoptic and is thrilled with her decision to purchase the Ergo loupe. Although she “struggled with a loose nosepiece for a while until I figured it out,” the Minnesota dentist said, “Orascoptic’s customer service and my sales rep have been great to work with.”
