IMPACT OF DENTAL LOUPE USAGE ON PROFESSIONAL QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG DENTAL PRACTITIONERS PERFORMING NONSURGICAL ROOT CANAL TREATMENT: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Successful nonsurgical root canal treatment requires adequate visualization, procedural precision, and ergonomic efficiency. Dental practitioners performing endodontic procedures are frequently exposed to prolonged static posture, visual strain, and work-related musculoskeletal discomfort. Dental loupes have increasingly been incorporated into contemporary dental practice because of their ability to improve visualization and operator ergonomics. Aim: To evaluate the effect of dental loupe usage on the professional quality of life of dental practitioners performing nonsurgical root canal treatment, with emphasis on physical, psychological, procedural, and financial aspects. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 200 dental practitioners, including general dentists and endodontists involved in nonsurgical root canal treatment. A structured questionnaire adapted from the WHOQOL-BREF instrument was used to evaluate physical, psychological, procedural, and financial parameters. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23.0. Descriptive statistics, independent unpaired t-test, and one-way ANOVA were applied. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A majority of practitioners reported improved manual dexterity, enhanced procedural efficiency, and better quality of work with dental loupes. Reduction in physical, postural, and psychological stress was observed among magnification users. Significant associations were found between years of clinical practice and dental loupe importance, satisfaction, procedural efficiency, and expense-related perception (p < 0.05).