A REALISTIC HEAD POSITION
1 minute read
When the head is in the position suggested by the FDI, any loupe capable of providing a declination of up to 40° will allow the user to have a straight through vision pathway that needs little getting used to without disorientation. The loupe expert carrying out the measurements should be able to assess the individual declination required to allow the head to be in the ideal position - this declination will depend on other factors than just the head position.
If it is determined because of individual circumstances that the declination needs to be greater, ExamVision have now developed a reflex type loupe that does not suffer from the restricted vision usually associated with this type of loupe.
We only recommend this type of loupe for postures that cannot be achieved with a straight through viewing path. If a natural (not forced) posture is achievable at 35° or less, this loupe is not necessary as it would normally be set at the same declination.
According to the FDI the head position should be the same with the naked eye, loupe and microscope - all inclined slightly forward.
HEAD POSITION
This article is the opinion of Evident, supplier of ExamVision loupes
There is an opinion that the head should be absolutely upright when working but this is at odds with the advice from the FDI in their 2021 publication ERGONOMICS AND POSTURE GUIDELINES FOR ORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. Their advice is that the head should 'be inclined slightly forward, oriented over the shoulders' - see the diagrams from the article below. Trying to keep the head too upright requires muscle effort which may cause stress on the neck and shoulders.
