finger sweep

finger sweep,

a technique for clearing a mechanical obstruction from the upper airway of an unconscious patient. The rescuer opens the victim's mouth by grasping the lower jaw and tongue between the thumb and fingers. The rescuer then attempts to sweep the foreign object out of the victim's mouth with a finger.

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finger,

n any one of the five digits of the hand.

finger, clubbed,

n a condition seen in hypertrophic osteoarthropathy where the base angle between the base of the fingernail and adjacent dorsal surface of the terminal phalanx is obliterated and becomes 180 degrees or greater. The base of the nail projects downward, and the area of nail is increased.

finger positions,

n.pl the positions of the fingers when operating; refers not only to the fingers grasping the instrument but also to the fingers used for rests, support, and holding the tissues out of the way.

finger rest,

n an integral part of instrumentation, in which the fingers of the working hand rest on the teeth, adjacent tissues, and fingers of the opposing hand to improve control of the working stroke of an instrument by providing a fulcrum for movement of the working fingers and instruments.

finger rest, reinforced,

n the position of the fingers that provides additional force to the instrument by allowing the thumb of the nondominant hand to be placed on the handle or shank of the instrument while the index (first) finger of the nondominant hand is placed on the adjacent tooth.

finger rest, substitute,

n the position of the fingers used when the customary resting point on an adjacent tooth is inhibited by a missing or inadequately supported tooth. The substitute finger rest may be the dental arch or a gauze sponge or cotton roll packed into the appropriate area.

finger rest, supplementary,

n the position of the fingers that provides additional support by allowing the index (first) finger of the dominant or instrument hand to rest on the index finger of the nondominant hand when it is placed on the occlusal surface of the adjacent teeth.

finger strut,

n a bar or similar component of the infrastructure of a subperiosteal or endosteal implant that projects from it, being attached at only one side.

finger sucking,

n the habit of sucking the finger (or thumb) for oral gratification. It is normal in infants and young children as a comforting device, especially when tired or hungry. If the habit persists beyond the eruption of the permanent teeth, it may cause a malocclusion of the anterior teeth.

finger sweep,

n a method whereby one uses fingers to remove a foreign object from the oral cavity of an unconscious individual. Finger sweeps should not be performed on small children unless one can clearly see the object.