Perception Of Left-Handed Dentist’s Clinical Experiences -An Insight

BACKGROUND: In dental practice, manual dexterity and effective use of one’s dominant hand are essential for safe, precise, and efficient performance. This necessitates the use of appropriate equipment and positioning tailored to the practitioner's dominant hand. However, specialized resources such as left-handed dental chairs are limited, resulting in an increased incidence of musculoskeletal issues among left-handed practitioners. AIM: This study aimed to examine the attitudes of left-handed dental students towards their clinical practice, focusing on their comfort and potential challenges in adapting to right-hand dominant equipment and settings. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2024 at JSS Dental College and Hospital in Mysore, targeting four consecutive cohorts of left-handed students, including third- and final-year undergraduates, dental interns, and postgraduate students and faculty. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The study found that eleven students in the class of 2024 were left-handed, with a 100% response rate, as all students were present and agreed to participate on the survey day. Of the respondents, 9% were third-year students, 5% were final-year students, 1% were postgraduates, and 1% were practicing clinicians