questions about my hands.

[Smooth Operater]

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Hey guys! Before writing the DAT this summer and starting planning my application, what other things should I do to make sure my hands are good for dentistry. I know my hands don't shake badly when I handle with small chemical instrusment in labs and I don't mind wear latex glove for a long time. I have been playing volleyball and basketabll for a long time so my fingers are really strong. Are my hands in the right condition to do dentistry? What other things I should beware regarding my hands? I just don't wanna end up finding that my hands are not suitable for dentistry once I get in dental school. THANKS!! 👍

 

[Wah]

There were plenty of students in my class who were "all thumbs". It scares me to think that these people graduated from dental school and are out there practicing...

Anyways, my point.... don't worry about it. Just keep up the grades.

 

[12YearOldKid]

There were plenty of students in my class who were "all thumbs". It scares me to think that these people graduated from dental school and are out there practicing...

I'll second that. When we first started pre-clinic courses there were some people who just couldn't get the hang of it. I assumed that they would get better with practice and some of them have. But... a lot of them still put out work that looks like it's the first time they've ever picked up a handpiece. I always cringe when I have to assist one of these people because I know I can't say anything to the patient, but inside I want to yell "run, run while there's still time." 😉 Seriously, graduating these people is a heinous abuse of the public trust.

And these people have no idea how bad they are. In the rare event that they do recognize a problem it's never their own fault; it's always an uncooperative patient, a professor who's out to get them, etc... etc...

I'm 150% for reinstuting the chalk carving on the DAT. 😀

 

[gbdental]

Hey guys! Before writing the DAT this summer and starting planning my application, what other things should I do to make sure my hands are good for dentistry. I know my hands don't shake badly when I handle with small chemical instrusment in labs and I don't mind wear latex glove for a long time. I have been playing volleyball and basketabll for a long time so my fingers are really strong. Are my hands in the right condition to do dentistry? What other things I should beware regarding my hands? I just don't wanna end up finding that my hands are not suitable for dentistry once I get in dental school. THANKS!! 👍

I completely agree with the previous posts. However, if you are really wanting to do something that may help get your fine finger skills flowing, take a ceramics/pottery class. I did this the last semester of my senior year of undergrad (just before starting D1) because I had never really done much "fine work" with my hands. Not only was it an enjoyable class, but it gave me some extra confidence in my fingers before starting school. Whether or not it actually increased my hand skills is questionable. But you do get to learn to create things on a more three-dimensional basis, which is exactly what you need to learn for dentistry. Drawing a crown-prep is one thing, but actually carving out that three-dimensional shape is completely different. It's never too early to start training your brain to think that way if you're going to be a dentist!

 

[hemp033]

try doing things that will help your manual dexterity such as building models, playing the guitar or piano. I personally built RC Cars, play paintball (helps with eye hand coordination believe it or not), play video games..something to help you use your digits other than picking your nose. 😀

 

[lnn2]

Hey guys! Before writing the DAT this summer and starting planning my application, what other things should I do to make sure my hands are good for dentistry. I know my hands don't shake badly when I handle with small chemical instrusment in labs and I don't mind wear latex glove for a long time. I have been playing volleyball and basketabll for a long time so my fingers are really strong. Are my hands in the right condition to do dentistry? What other things I should beware regarding my hands? I just don't wanna end up finding that my hands are not suitable for dentistry once I get in dental school. THANKS!! 👍

I can think of one thing that you could do with your hand! It may help you out a lot! nahh, you probably have been doing all along, you just don't recognize it yet 😀

Manual dexterity, you either have it or you don't. Either way, it really doesn't matter if you enjoy working with your hands and detail oriented. Strong fingers are really handy for extraction but for the most part you have to learn how to use controlled force, light touch! Use finger rest, it'll stop the shaking! Everything comes with practice. If you know a dentist, ask them if you can play around with the drills after work or assist them with the lab works.

 

[jiggapigga]

practice touching yourself

 

[lnn2]

practice touching yourself

Please keep it PG rated! We have a lot of kids posting here!

 

[toofache32]

I was a classical guitar major in college, and the admissions people really seemed to get a kick out of it. But I can't say if it really helped me or not.