Manual Dexterity

[mdub]

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What's a good way for someone to know whether they possess the necessary manual dexterity to be a good dentist? Is a high level required? Is it something just about everyone can pick up?

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

Hi there,

Dentistry does require some ability with manual dexterity but you do not have to be an awsome one to be a good dentist, although it will certainly help you with a better grade in lab projects. What's more important than dexterity is the ability to pick up fine details and know why they are there. A student can produce an excellent crown preparation just like the model but if he/she can't know why the prep is like the way it is, then that person won't be a good dentist. From my teaching days, some students were outstanding while working on a typodont but completetly at loss when comes to a patient with broken down tooth. About the skills that you ask, If you have some experience doing model work like building planes,cars or anything artistic, then you got what it takes to be a fine dentist. DP

 

[mdub]

About the skills that you ask, If you have some experience doing model work like building planes,cars or anything artistic, then you got what it takes to be a fine dentist. DP

That's what concerns me. I've never really done anything artistic like that. I've worked on small electronic items, but I've never done much artistic stuff outside of photo composition and editing on a computer.

 

[jk5177]

there are pre-dental courses around the country where people can sort of "try-out" or "test-out" what doing dental lab work is like. For example, at ucla, there is a denture course for you to set tooth, also there are waxing courses. That sort of give you an idea.

I took jewellry class before I enter dental, I think that as close as a simulation as possible without actually working on teeth.

First year has been so much fun thus far.

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

That's what concerns me. I've never really done anything artistic like that. I've worked on small electronic items, but I've never done much artistic stuff outside of photo composition and editing on a computer.

Hi there,

No need to worry as first year dental lab will teach you the skills to be a competent dentist. I only know of 1 person who left dentistry because she could not do lab work (plus the fact that she totally hates the field). No need to worry as you will be suprised of what your hands can do. DP

 

[mdub]

No need to worry as first year dental lab will teach you the skills to be a competent dentist. I only know of 1 person who left dentistry because she could not do lab work (plus the fact that she totally hates the field). No need to worry as you will be suprised of what your hands can do. DP

Sorry, this will probably sound redundant, but I just want to make sure I understand. Are you saying that most people generally are able to do the lab work, or are you saying that most dental students are able to do the work?

I've read that some schools have manual dexterity tests when one interviews. Do those tests actually screen out many people?

 

[toofs]

I never considered myself artistic, actually probably the opposite, but I am amazed at what I can do now. I have no problem getting A's on lab projects.

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

Sorry, this will probably sound redundant, but I just want to make sure I understand. Are you saying that most people generally are able to do the lab work, or are you saying that most dental students are able to do the work?

I've read that some schools have manual dexterity tests when one interviews. Do those tests actually screen out many people?

Hi,

What I am saying is that it does not require any "special" dexterity skills to be a dentist. Unless you are one of the people in the world who can't carve a pumpkin if your life depends on it, you will be fine. Sure, people with excellent hands will certainly get an upper edge in lab grades but you certainly do not need this skill to be a competent dentist. They will teach you the basic skill in the first year lab and the wash out rate from not being to do passable lab work is extremely low. For the two years I taught at UT (first and second year students), I lost only 1 from dexterity problem. DP

 

[mdub]

Hi,

What I am saying is that it does not require any "special" dexterity skills to be a dentist. ...I lost only 1 from dexterity problem. DP

Thanks for the help.

 

[edkNARF]

The manual skills of dentistry take longer for some people to learn than others. It can get colossally frustrating at times, but operative dentistry is not impossible to LEARN if you are not an artist. I find if very helpful to work with my friends, as I learn much more from them than my instructors.