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Sometimes, lion, just sometimes, it's actually comical to watch some "lefties" perform certain tasks that us "righties" take for granted. Watch President Obama the next time he is shown signing something. It almost looks as if he is trying to hold his pen with his foot! 
posted by
JimmyA
on April 10, 2013 at 7:56 AM
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You're probably right, C C T. It costs a lot of money these days to have someone poke around in our mouth, causing unbelievable pain and discomfort. But sometimes you've got to do what you've got to do! I'll take that medal now . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 10, 2013 at 7:53 AM
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I have a feeling, Annitica, that a lot of people are that way! I suppose going to the dentist may fall under the category of a "necessary evil." Nobody likes to go, but sometimes you simply have no choice . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 10, 2013 at 7:47 AM
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thankfully I am right handed but I have had sinister (lit. left handed) friends and watched their struggles
posted by
lionreign
on April 10, 2013 at 4:04 AM
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Yes it would be a bit unnerving, but I don't think I would have noticed, so you were on the ball there . If I had one I would give you a little medal for bravery, I awarded myself one once, but in those days it was free treament. These days
National Health Dentists are like hen's teeth, Sorry.
posted by
C_C_T
on April 9, 2013 at 11:53 PM
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I'm like you...white knuckled and gripping the chair...wake me when its over....
posted by
Annicita
on April 9, 2013 at 7:08 PM
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Re:
Most of the time, lustor, that's what happens with me as well. But since "major" work needed to be done, I needed to be attended to by my dentist. However, like I wrote, I now have a left-handed apprentice to deal with! Hopefully he can "adjust" to his surroundings before someone gets accidentally hurt . . . !
posted by
JimmyA
on April 9, 2013 at 1:36 PM
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I didnt go through that recently but the last time I went to the dentist the dental hygienist did all the work which was a deep cleaning and I didnt even see the dentist.
posted by
Lanetay
on April 9, 2013 at 8:43 AM
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Re: Jimmy
I think I am, Justi. As I've written, he really was a very good young dentist. He was simply struggling with the layout of the office. But I have a feeling that, in time, one way or another, at least one of those "operating" rooms ( the office has three ) will be rearranged to accommodate his left-handedness. Things will probably go much smoother after that . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 9, 2013 at 7:47 AM
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Re: my dentist took on a young dentist too,
It really is a bizarre factor, jean, what people have to go through being either left-handed or right-handed. Your son may be ambidextrous ( like my father was ) but I think it may depend on how well he handles certain tools ( pencils, forks, etc. ) with each hand. And the first time I came across the "bumping elbows" situation myself was back in grammar school. Our teacher had paired everyone up in side-by-side desks ( very close together ) and I was seated next to a girl who was a lefty. After only one day, we had to switch seats before our elbows got too bruised up!
posted by
JimmyA
on April 9, 2013 at 7:43 AM
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Re: Jimmy
It does seem, Naut, that right-handedness is really the norm. But I guess, as you've said, it's primarily because of the majority factor. I have known several lefties in my life ( my younger sister is one ), and they've all shared with me the trials and tribulations they must deal with almost on a daily basis simply because everything is designed for right-handed people. And ironically, my dad was ambidextrous . . . ! 
posted by
JimmyA
on April 9, 2013 at 7:37 AM
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Re: First time I had a wisdom tooth extracted,
With the situation as you've described, Ciel, I don't think it would really matter at all if either the dentist or his assistant were left-handed or right-handed! That sounds quite painful and uncomfortable! My basic pain and discomfort only lasted throughout one weekend. To have tiny pieces of bone continuously working their way out of your gums for weeks on end gives me chills up and down my spine! I'm glad that wasn't a recent thing . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 9, 2013 at 7:31 AM
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I thought it might relax me, sam. But as we all know, regardless of the situation, it is really hard to relax at all when you're in the dentist's chair! Discovering he was a lefty explained his slight clumsiness, but it didn't do all that much to assuage my general "let's get this over with" state of mind! And yes, madness is a good way of defining an exploding root . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 9, 2013 at 7:25 AM
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I think there are many, FSI. I recall, way back when I was in grammar school, one of my classmates, a lefty, complaining about the difficulties of using the spiral ring notebooks that were obviously made for right-handed people. I believe today there are a few manufacturers who have created certain "left-handed" items ( such as notebooks with the spiral ring on the right side ) but they don't seem to have gained all that much popularity . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on April 9, 2013 at 7:21 AM
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Jimmy
I can understand both sides of this. The whole world is geared to the right handed people. It would appear it would be worth the expense to change things in the office. His work would be more efficient and take less time. I am glad you are happy with the results. Be blessed.
posted by
Justi
on April 8, 2013 at 7:18 PM
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my dentist took on a young dentist too,
working toward retirement, but noone liked the new dentist and he let him go and now is working 3 days a week in his retirement. he is still a wonderful dentist.
my son could identify with this young dentist as he is a south paw, only one in our family, and i never bought him or put things, like silverware on the table, to accommodate him. i think the most we did was to let him on the outside of the table to avoid bumping elbows. but he's done ok in life. in fact as a young child he could do things with both hands, i havnt noticed is he still does that or not?
posted by
jeansaw
on April 8, 2013 at 6:57 PM
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Jimmy
Very interesting post! We 'normal' righties (normal in the sense that we're the majority) don't usually give much thought to the difficulties the 'sinestri' of this world are facing sometimes! And in a situation such as this, it can be dangerous for both!
And while we're on that topic: While generally the laws of physics are symmetrical, physicists have discovered that at a very fundamenatal level (in quantum mechanics) nature shows a preference for right-handedness...
posted by
Nautikos
on April 8, 2013 at 1:50 PM
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First time I had a wisdom tooth extracted,
back when I was in college, I went to the Free Clinic where an "Almost-a-Dentist" got some practice. He had to get the real dentist to support my jaw as he used it for a fulcrum, so it wouldn't break. He finally got the tooth out, and I had bone fragments working their way out for weeks afterwards.
I have no idea whether he was left-handed.
posted by
Ciel
on April 8, 2013 at 12:52 PM
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How incredulous! I had never heard of a root exploding! Madness I say! I would be more relaxed knowing the problem was the set up of the office! sam 
posted by
sam444
on April 8, 2013 at 11:57 AM
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I never thought about how being left-handed could effect an apprentice dentist...I myself am not a lefty, however, I do know of quite a few who have had different struggles in a right-handed world.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on April 8, 2013 at 10:27 AM
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