MODULE 2- Positioning for the Right-handed Clinician

8 o'clock Positions (To the front of the patient)

*Torso Position: Sit facing the patient with your hip in line with the patient's upper arm

*Leg Position: Your thighs should rest against the side of the patient chair

*Arm positions: To reach the patient's mouth, hold your arms slightly away from your sides. Hold your lower right arm over the patient's head or chest.

*Line of Vision: Your line of vision is straight ahead, into the patient's mouth

9' o'clock position (To the side of the patient)

*Torso position: Sit facing the side of the patient's head. The midline of your torso is even with the patient's mouth.

*Leg position: Your legs may be in either of two acceptable positions: 1. Straddling the patient chair or 2. Underneath the headrest of the patient chair - not under the chair back. (Neutral position is best achieved by straddling the chair; however, you should use the alternative position if you find straddling uncomfortable)

*Arm positions: To reach the patient's mouth, hold the lower half of your right arm in approximate alignment with the patient's shoulder. Hold your left hand and wrist over the region of the patient's right eye.

*Line of vision: Your line of vision is straight down into the mouth.

10 to 11 o'clock position (near corner of headrest)

*Torso Position: Sit at the top right corner of the headrest; the midline of your torso is even with the temple region of the patient's head.

*Leg position: Your legs should straddle the corner of the headrest

*Arm Positions: To reach the patient's mouth, hold your right hand directly across the corner of the patient's mouth. Hold your left hand and wrist above the patient's nose and forehead

*Line of vision: Your line of vision is straight down into the mouth.

12 o'clock Position (Behind the patient)

*Torso Position: Sit behind the patient's head

*Leg position: Your legs should straddle the headrest

*Arm Positions: To reach the patient's mouth, hold your wrists and hands above the region of the patient's ear and cheeks

*Line of vision: Your line of vision is straight down into the patient's mouth

1 to 2 o'clock Position (Near corner of the headrest)

*Torso Position: Sit at the top left corner of the headrest; the midline of your torso is even with the temple region of the patient's head.

*Leg position: Your legs should straddle the corner of the headrest.

*Arm positions: To reach the patient's mouth, hold you left hand directly across the corner of the patient's mouth. Hold your right hand and wrist above the patient's nose and forehead.

*Line of vision: Your line of vision is straight down into the mouth.