Reference/Features

The selection and use of loupes in dentistry

6 mins read Ethical selling/products
Loupes allow dentists, hygienists and therapists to see their working area in more detail than normal vision allows. There are several types of loupe, and a number of issues need to be considered when deciding which model to use

As a dental nurse, it is likely that you have worked alongside a dentist, hygienist or dental therapist wearing loupes. Hospital-based television dramas often show surgeons wearing loupes, probably to make a scenario look realistic.

Loupes are not a new invention. Surgical loupes date back to the 1870s; by the early 1900s, they had developed into a binocular loupe that could be attached to spectacles. Original designs were large and their use was limited. Today, optical technology means loupes are now smaller and more effective.

The use of loupes is not restricted to dental care professionals and doctors; jewellers and horologists also use them and the Oxford online dictionary defines a loupe as a small magnifying glass used by jewellers and watchmakers. A wide range of loupes are manufactured for use within different professions.

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