The invention relates to a dental instrument (1) comprising a housing having a first part (10) with a circumferential wall (12) and defining a hand-piece for holding, preferably by a single hand, said instrument (1), a light source (5), electrical components (2) for operating said light source (5) being lodged within said housing, and a tip portion (9) configured to support a light guide (40) having a proximal end (42) receiving light from said light source (5), characterised in said housing having between said first part (10) and said tip portion (9) a second part (20) with a circumferential wall (22) having on a first side (A) of said instrument (1) a first control element (26) for fingertip operation and on a second side (B) of said instrument (1) a second control element (28) for fingertip operation, said first control element (26) being located circumferentially opposite said second control element (28).
