Left-handed dental hygienists have an added struggle in an already demanding career because many operatories lack adequate space on the left-hand side of the patient chair. Early in my career, I had an interview end abruptly when I mentioned that I was left-handed. I’ve also seen job postings stating a preference for right-handed hygienists. This led me to believe that maybe offices didn’t want the hassle of adapting to a left-handed setup. I tried to keep the operatory in “default mode” as much as possible, but I found myself constantly twisting to reach the right side. Unsurprisingly, this led to poor ergonomics and body pain.
We can’t do this to ourselves – our profession already takes such a toll on our musculoskeletal systems. We must advocate for our health and ensure career longevity with proper positioning.
Here are six tips to help make left-handed dentistry a little easier for hygienists.
1) Cut down on cords
It can be difficult to reach cords over to the patient’s left side. Sometimes cords lie on the ground on the left side, making it easy for them to get tangled in the wheels of the operator chair. Some cords, such as suction and air/water, can’t be avoided, but using a rechargeable wireless ultrasonic scaler foot pedal can help cut down on the number of cords to manage. A cordless polisher is also more adaptable, and some have a pressure sensor, so a corded foot pedal isn’t necessary. A wireless keyboard and mouse can even make it easy to switch to a left-handed setup.
2) Stand up
Standing during treatment creates variety in our repetitive movements and positioning. For lefties, it’s also a little easier to squeeze into a small space if you practice while standing. Plus, there’s no running over cords with your chair.
3) Streamline exams
I am lucky my dentist is fine doing his exams from my side of the chair because it keeps me from switching the room setup back and forth every hour. If this isn’t possible, try keeping the swivel lever on the patient chair unlocked so the chair can easily pivot to a right-handed setup. A second operator chair placed on the right side of the patient further avoids the need to slide an operator chair back and forth, potentially getting tangled in cords. Sometimes, dentists decide to simply stand on the right side during exams, which would also eliminate the crossover of the operator chair.
4) Customize your operatory
Is there anything in the operatory that can be changed to make it more comfortable? Talk to your boss about solutions. Is there another operatory in the office with more space on the left side? Can tubing be extended so that cords reach the left side? Maybe a cupboard or shelf can be removed, or the computer monitor can be placed on an adjustable arm with a swivel.
My boss was able to bring someone in to help move my patient chair a few inches. It turned out the patient chair wasn’t bolted to the floor – it was just really heavy. All it took was two people to give it a good push. I didn’t even realize that was possible. Since there are cords involved, it wouldn’t move drastically, but those few inches were a game-changer for me.
I’ve even found that dental chair tilt buttons can sometimes be adjusted. During one working interview, the tilt buttons were only on the right side, but the dentist told me that was fixable.
A boss who values their employees will want to invest in their well-being and team retention.
5) Double up on self-care
We all know that being a dental hygienist is hard on our bodies. To minimize the risk of musculoskeletal strain, I recommend massage therapy, physical therapy, yoga, acupuncture, or anything that will help keep your body healthy. I would argue that left-handed hygienists need extra self-care because we often have added strain from working in operatories designed for right-handed practitioners.
6) Don’t waste your time on bad operatories
Not all operatories are going to be able to accommodate left-handed practitioners. I have done a lot of temp work and can manage most rooms, but sometimes, I simply can’t fit on the left side. In my experience, newer offices tend to be more ambidextrous, and I’m hoping that, in time, every office will be fully functional from either side. Until then, let go of the offices that can’t accommodate you.
Tour the office or at least ask to see a picture of the hygiene operatory when you interview for a new position. When I did temp work, I told my agency that I was a lefty, and they would confirm with my temp placements that the operatory was functional from both sides. A couple of times, it had been switched over for me before I even got there – the dental unit was moved to the left side, and the patient chair was swiveled. What a surprise!
While the potential to lose job opportunities may be frustrating because of being left-handed, there are plenty of positions out there, so we can afford to let go of the few that don’t fit us. Jobs come and go, but we must make our careers and bodies last. Don’t let the fear of missing out make you compromise your ergonomics.
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