California Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Written Practice Exam

What hand is primarily used to transfer instruments to a right-handed dentist?

1. Right

2. Both hands

3. Left

4. Either, depending on the procedure

The correct answer is: Left

The correct hand used to transfer instruments to a right-handed dentist is the left hand. This is because the right hand is typically occupied with holding and manipulating the dental instrument while the left hand is free to pass the instrument to the dentist. Additionally, using the left hand for instrument transfer allows for greater precision and dexterity, as it is the non-dominant hand for a right-handed dentist. Option A (right hand) is incorrect because, as mentioned, the right hand is primarily occupied with manipulating the instrument. Option B (both hands) is also incorrect because while both hands may be used during certain procedures, the left hand is still the primary hand for instrument transfer. Option D (either, depending on the procedure) is incorrect because for a majority of procedures, the left hand is used for instrument transfer regardless of the specific procedure. It is only in rare cases where the right hand may