Poor posture of dental practitioners as they work is related to musculoskeletal disorders. Postures that are more neutral and less stressful reduce the amount and severity of MD. A study by Branson, et al published in the Journal of Dental Education evaluated the use of magnification lenses by senior dental hygiene students and its effect on their working posture. The study involved viewing videotapes of the students as they worked with and without the use of magnification, and evaluated posture using Branson’s Posture Assessment Instrument. The study found that the students experienced a quantifiable change in acceptability of their posture when using magnification lenses, with postural improvements reported by all students when using magnification.
(Source: Dental Abstracts, Vol. 49, No. 5, 2004)
