The Concepts of Four-handed Dentistry Including Ergonomic Instrument Transfer and Exercises for Stress Reduction

This course describes and discusses four‑handed dentistry; its integration in the modern dental office as well as a review of an ergonomically acceptable instrument transfer for use in four-handed dentistry. In addition, a series of exercises for the dental professional to use for stress reduction is included.

Over the years as new technology has been integrated into the modern dental office, no single product has increased productivity and reduced stress and strain on the dental team as much as using the concept of four‑handed dentistry. The clinical dynamics of four‑handed dentistry is an ergonomic chairside concept performed by a well-trained dental team in an organized manner. Combined with the practice of ergonomics in the workplace, the concept of true four‑handed dentistry must be revisited by the dental profession and applied to both the clinical and business areas of the office. The young dentists of the 21st century have had minimal exposure to true four‑handed dentistry during their educational experiences due to budget cuts in many of the dental schools around the country limiting their use of auxiliaries trained in this technique. The concept of four‑handed dentistry was born in the 1960s to overcome a manpower shortage. Demands were made on the dental profession to provide more services to more people due to the creation of third-party payment. As the years have passed, this single concept, when executed properly, has become even more important. Some demands may have diminished but the impact of regulatory agencies, managed care, infection control guidelines, the global pandemic due to COVID-19, and quality assurance of skills places even greater demands on the practicing dentist to implement efficient clinical practice methods to ensure a safe, comfortable environment for the entire team.