Musculoskeletal Difficulties and Psychological Effects of a Practicing Left-Handed Dentist Compared to Right-Handed Dentist in Chennai City- A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Left-handed dentists confront obstacles that limit their clinical efficiency; consequently, the current study compares right and left-handed dentists to solve this issue. The goal was to compare the challenges faced by right and left-handed dentists in terms of musculoskeletal discomfort, physiological and psychological strain while treating various quadrants of the oral cavity on a day-to-day basis by clinicians with varying clinical expertise.

Materials and Methods: During the years 2020 and 2021, a 56-item survey questionnaire was utilised to conduct a cross-sectional study among dentists across India. A total of 100 people were chosen to respond to an online questionnaire. The data was analysed and tallied depending on the challenges faced by right-handed and left-handed practitioners when working with patients.

Results:  During practise, 56 percent of left-handed players and 28 percent of right-handed players experienced musculoskeletal issues, which was statistically significant (p-value = 0.002). Furthermore, 50 percent of left-handed dentists reported upper back pain, compared to 16 percent of right-handed dentists, which was statistically significant (p<0.001). Left-handed people found practising Pedodontics the most difficult of the specialties. The majority of left-handed dentists were dissatisfied with their superior’s' assistance while learning to practise.

Conclusion: Left-handed clinicians face greater challenges in practise, resulting in musculoskeletal problems, weariness, and general discontent. Left-handed dentists are falling behind their right-handed counterparts as a result of this. Despite advances in contemporary dentistry, this problem requires attention and resolution at the institutional level.