Surface should be dry and able to withstand pressure

Maintain on a firm, solid tooth

Should be on a tooth adjacent to the one instrument is on – usually 1-4 teeth away but may vary

Easier to adapt, angle, and activate instrument

Comfort of patient

Prevent repetitive strain

Allows your hand and instrument to function as a unit

Stabilize the instrument

Prevent injury to the patient

Allows detection of rough areas on tooth surface

Facilitates precise control of instrument

Lessens musculoskeletal stress

Palm grasp

Modified palm grasp

Pen grasp

Modified pen grasp

C. working end

B. working end

B. shank

A. handle

A. working end

C. shank

True

False

True

False

Middle

Little

Thumb

Index

Ring

where the finger contacts the handle

higher

close

overlapping

opposite

Hold the handle in a relaxed manner.

Blanched fingers

Overlapping fingers

Grasp the handle lightly.

Rounded C-shape

rounded index; straight index finger

Straight index finger; rounded thumb

Rounded O-shape

True

False

When the thumb and index finger overlap

When the thumb and index finger are NOT across from each other

When the thumb and index finger are across from each other

Makes it difficult to control the instrument

Makes it difficult to roll the handle between the fingers

Causes the finger pads to lift off of the handle