Manual dexterity: What is "Learned" in School Vs What is Innate

[Alpha Centauri]

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So I have been thinking about this for a while. Obviously you can't give a master car mechanic a crown or alginate and tell him to shave it down to make it fit perfectly, or take a perfect impression. However, speaking to my dentist he did tell me he has been carving wood, repairing cars, and assembling model airplanes since he was an adolescent.

Now, I am not saying I doubt my hand skills, as I enjoy vehicle work and using the dremel for home projects, but I DO need some help every now and then. I am not a klutz but I do fumble sometimes (doesn't everybody?). My dentist made it sound like he is perfect at what he does, and I do agree that he is very good in his line of work. However, he has been doing this for nearly 40 years (in addition to his childhood experiences). There is obviously a YUGE time to hone in on dental related skills and techniques. My question to you is if most of the skills you require as a dentist learned/picked up in dental school, or is it more of applying your natural sleight of hand towards a medically related field?

 

[Maybe.a.dentist]

If you can't carve hands out of pencil lead I got some bad news for you.... jk

I think for the majority of people what we learn in school along with the normal experience we will get ought to be adequate to make us competent dentists.

 

[Faux]

Some of my class mates naturally had good grades during our first lab class outside of waxing. It was a bit discouraging but now my grades are up there, especially after taking indirect.

We all find our rhythm, sooner or later. I honestly wouldn't worry about it. If I can produce +85 grade work, with my ****ty hand writing and clumsiness, you can too. You get some what of a foundation through school, and experience afterwards will make things even better.