A good friend who has been practicing for a while told me that a portable light sorce would be the best non-required investment as a student. So my questions are:
1. What type do you have? 2. Cost (and year purchased)? 3. Why did you choose that specific brand?
This one was actually invented by a dental student at my school, and presented during research day earlier this year: http://ultralightoptics.com/Index.html
This one was actually invented by a dental student at my school, and presented during research day earlier this year: http://ultralightoptics.com/Index.html
In preclinic the patient doesn't move since they are typically bolted to the bench. As such, the lighting at the bench should be adequate, although you'll need loupes in preclinic.
In clinic, patients move, lighting can be difficult to fully accomplish, and sometimes you are in a rush. These are the times portable light is nice. I am serious- try the WalMart option before you money into something as it will give you an idea of what to look for in lights and why you would want to invest in something more than $20. I've seen several experienced dentists working with stuff straight off the WalMart shelf.
The surgical lighting for $400-$600 is at 3,300 candlepower is approx 41K lumens where the WalMart varieties are typically approx 20 lumen per watt for a max of 300 lumens. A conventional 100 watt lightbulb is approx 1.7K lumen.
I've seen people who've bought the "walmart" options, and they all use them once or twice then leave them on the shelf. The light is incredibly diffuse to the point where it adds nothing to your intraoral illumination at working length. Probably great for spelunking though.
I have the Orascoptic Zeon. I like it. It is comparable to the Ultralight, according to DentalTown - you can find a good comparison with pictures on their forum.
