Performance of left-handed dental students is improved when working from the left side of the patient

Left-handed Dental Students

“…; 15 (4) of equipment and lack of dental chairs specific to them. These results corroborate the findings of other authors [12], who state that although one of the main factors to determine a successful treatment of dental problems is the position adopted by the professional, many dental schools still do not have dental chairs designed specifically for lefties what it could directly affect the dental practice. In their studies with righties and lefties, the same authors found that when working on the left side of the patient, the performance of lefthanded students was significantly better compared to the work done by these students when positioned on the right side of the patient.…”

Left-Handed Students and Clinical Practice in Dentistry: Adaptations, Difficulties and Realities Experienced in the Academic Environment

“…A study [23] showed that even during dental therapy (scaling and root planning) right-handed dentists achieved more success than left-handed dentists, since both types of professionals utilized dentistry chairs destined to right-handers. Nevertheless, another study [12] observed a better performance of left-handed Odontology students during the removal of biofilm and calculus when working with dentistry chairs specifically designed for left-handers.…”

“…In this sense, although it is possible that a left-handed student learns to work with a dentistry chair designed for right-handed professionals, this process can be long and accelerate towards a stage of joint strain/wear and painful symptomatology [12]. If the left-handed student already practiced with a chair that was adequate to his/hers dominance particularity, this period of adaptation could be applied to improve practical abilities in a work position that is appropriate to the specific lateral dominance [1].…”

“…Lefthanded students can present difficulties throughout the execution of clinical activities, negatively affecting odontology practice and representing a risk factor for professional disease [12].…”

Perspectives, Realities, and Difficulties in Clinical Practice Experience of Left-handed Dental Students in Udaipur, India

“…2 A successful treatment of any dental issue is based on skillful performances with the anatomy and location of teeth, determination of well-adopted instrument, appropriate angulation of the patient, particularly the dental practitioners, and in addition manual skill. [3][4][5] Most dental instruments are "all inclusive," yet the general manufacture and design are suited for right-handed users. 6,7 This might constrain the left handers to adjust, thereby leading to decrease in their performance with increased perception of inconvenience.…”