Evaluation of Right-Handed and Left-Handed Dental Students' Clinical Skills in Restorative Cavity Preparation in Different Positions: A Comparative Pilot Study

One of the major factors affecting dentists’ manual dexterity is their sitting position while performing dental procedures. The training patterns in dentistry schools are mostly established in accordance to right-handed (RH) students. The present pilot study aimed to compare the RH and left-handed (LH) students in terms of their performance in restorative cavity preparation while operating from both right-side and left-side positions. A total of 24 students, comprising of 12 RH and 12 LH students, were enrolled. The selected students were to prepare a mesio-occlusal cavity on acrylic maxillary, mandibular, right and left first molars. Their performance was rated by three dental specialists based on predetermined indices for ideal Class-II restorative preparation. Parametric statistical tests, including paired-sample t-test and independent t-test, were used to compare the students' performance. Based on the results, RH students exhibited significantly better performance on their ideal side. The LH students' performance was better on their ideal side and this difference in performance was significant only while preparing the mandibular molars (P<0.05). The difference in the performance of the LH students on their ideal and non-ideal sides was less than that of the RH ones. A comparison of the mean scores of the RH and LH students in the two right-side and left-side positions showed no statistically significant difference. There was no difference between the LH and RH students' skills in restorative preparation in their ideal posture. The LH students showed considerable improvement in their performance when working on their ideal posture.