how important is art?

[favabean]

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I thought I would start another thread discussing the importance of artistic talent in dentistry. How many of you are artistically inclined? Paint? Draw? Sculpt? Music?

Being a dentist requires manual dexterity, as we all know. Do you feel that being artsy gives you an advantage? Or not?

 

[ddsjeff77]

Yes, adcoms look favorably on what manual skills you have and whether or not you gave the time to at least improve what skills you have or do not have.

 

[favabean]

Sure, I agree with you - that adcoms look favourably on those with artistic talent. But I am curious as to whether natural artistic talent translates into a more skillful dentist compared to one who is not artistically talented.

 

[pbure]

I thought I would start another thread discussing the importance of artistic talent in dentistry. How many of you are artistically inclined? Paint? Draw? Sculpt? Music?

Being a dentist requires manual dexterity, as we all know. Do you feel that being artsy gives you an advantage? Or not?

Absolutely! very very important stuff. in fact it was one of the central themes of my applications essay. rather than glossing over things that are clearly written on my aadsas application such as gpa,honors or shadowing i spoke a lot about my strong experience with activities that i felt required precision and dedication. It can definitely set you apart from others if you have the stats to back it up.

 

[billiken10]

I definitely think artistic ability makes a big difference in becoming a dentist, but also that an aspect of art appreciation is important as well. One of my favorite things about dentistry is the symmetry and cleanliness aspect. One could argue that oral surgery is like architecture and orthodontics like sculpture. I think that there are subtle parallels between art and dentistry that are undeniable. If you like art and being artistic, you might also find dentistry enjoyable.

B10

 

[Midoc]

On the otherhand, you can not like art and not be artsy and still be able to contour an esthetically pleasing composite restoration.

I am not artistically inclined. I can draw a functional diagram of a tooth and the periodontium and maybe some stick figures but not much else. Then again I can do a nice wax up or build up most of an incisor with composite and make it look nice.

There are elements of dentistry that are artistic and maybe some people will never learn these but for most people it can be learned. Mostly it involves attention to detail, ability to discriminate different shapes and angles and having a clear vision in your head of what you want.

So the simple answer to the OP's question is that being artistic may give some benefit in the initial learning stages but in my opinion it is short lived.

 

[trypmo]

On the otherhand, you can not like art and not be artsy and still be able to contour an esthetically pleasing composite restoration.

I am not artistically inclined. I can draw a functional diagram of a tooth and the periodontium and maybe some stick figures but not much else. Then again I can do a nice wax up or build up most of an incisor with composite and make it look nice.
[....]

That's a relief! I can't draw or paint worth a dang -- but I can do things like judge fractions of a millimeter by eye.

My grandmother was a sculptor, so maybe my genes will kick in if I get to D-School!

🙂

 

[ItsGavinC]

Like Midoc, I'm not artistically inclined at all. Yet I can do good work and perhaps most importantly, I can see with an artistic eye when necessary.

 

[msf41]

I've wondered about the importance of art as well. I'm taking an art class this semester and it is teaching me something that I know will relate to dentistry...back problems. I've spent several hours at a time hunched over a drawing only to stand up to feel like my back was going to crack. So to compensate I've started working out my back more when I go to the gym. No more back problems.

I know several dentists with back problems who say they have to keep active at the gym to keep their backs healthy. Then again maybe some of you younger types have no idea what I'm talking about.