Background and aims.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of right/left handedness on the ability of patients to remove dental plaque in various quadrants of the mouth.

  Materials and methods.This double blind cross-sectional study was conducted in two phases with a two-week time interval, on 40 subjects. During the two visits, subjects were requested to brush their teeth for 3 minutes with a soft toothbrush without a dentifrice and by using the Bass technique. Pre and post-brushing plaque index (PI) were measured for all of the dental surfaces in various quadrants of the mouth.

  Results. Following plaque removal at the end of first phase, RH subjects had higher average PI in upper left quadrants compared to upper right quadrants (p=0.044), whereas the lower right quadrants had higher average PI compared to lower left quadrants (p=0.387).

  Conclusion. This study indicates that in regard to performance of oral hygiene procedures, LH subjects have better ability to access the right quadrants of the mouth whereas RH subjects are more successful in plaque control of the left quadrants.

 Source: Journal of Periodentology & Implant Dentistry

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