Extent of Ambidexterity Among Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in Southern region of India: An Evaluative Study

Purpose This study is designed to evaluate the extent of ambidexterity that exists among oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Southern region of India. Materials and Methods A questionnaire study was designed. One hundred and eighty-nine oral and maxillofacial surgeons who perform their professional activities in various parts of Southern region of India participated in the survey. Demographic information, type of professional practice, ability to use their non-dominant hand for daily physical activities and professional activities, whether they can trust their non-dominant hand in critical junctures and whether their non-dominant hand is a weak link during surgical intervention were evaluated. If ambidextrous, to what extent does it benefit the maxillofacial surgeon in their daily and professional activities is evaluated. Results The results of this study revealed that majority of the oral and maxillofacial surgeons were not ambidextrous. Even though they could manage their basic daily physical activities with their non-dominant hand, they are not totally confident using their non-dominant hand at critical junctures during surgical interventions. Majority of the participants felt that they cannot trust their non-dominant hand in critical junctures and that their non-dominant hand is a weak link during surgical intervention. Considering the fact that majority of the participants carry out their professional activities in urban/rural areas with the aid of only a trained assistant in addition to the complexity involved in operating on the head and neck, they felt that ambidexterity is required in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Conclusion Oral and maxillofacial surgeons due to their unique work are more susceptible to occupational stress. A surgeon who has the ability to use his/her both hands in a near-equal manner would permit him/her to perform surgical interventions efficiently particularly in complex anatomical regions of the body in addition to reducing the associated professional burnout.