The Relevance of PAT

[Alanine]

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So im currently studying for my DATs, which I will be taking soon, and I had a question...does PAT really matter?
I know it matters to adcoms, but my questions is, if you're bad at PAT (or certain parts of the PAT) from the get-go, does that mean in dental school you'll have more trouble with procedures than someone who is extremely good at it? I'm currently working on my PAT skills, and it just got my wondering..

 

[Vicviper]

Well... and I'll prompt this what saying that I'm only just finishing my first year, I think everyone does bad at PAT to start (for the most part), but with enough practice, you learn the tricks, and get better at it, so don't worry if you're struggling now. Anyways, from my experience so far, PAT doesn't have a direct correlation as far as how to fold paper and such, but in underlying skill of being able to picture things in your mind, I think does help. For example, when I'm doing a prep, I don't always have a particularly unobstructed view all of the time for various reasons, and while you're drilling, it's near impossible to see the bottom of your prep clearly, and so because of that, you've got to take into account the picture in your mind of what it looks like there, and what you need to do, and how that reacts with the tactile sense you're feeling from the handpiece. At least, that's my perspective on it, might be different for others

Don't worry too much though, I've heard a number of dentists say that as long as you don't have total hands of stone, you'll manage.

 

[Regmata]

The PAT is not relevant beyond it being a requirement to get into dental school

 

[DrReo]

The PAT is not relevant beyond it being a requirement to get into dental school

True.

But ability wise/testing, it's probably the most relevant with regards to dentistry. Path of draw, total convergence, etc for one to be able to differentiate between angles and what not.

I thought a lot of people smashed the PAT...

 

[Decan]

I didn't do great on the PAT and I'm finishing up my second year. When doing lab work I found that I had to do preps several times to finally understand what needed to be done but once I understood it I could do quality work. Its nothing you can't train your eye for in the future.

 

[Alanine]

I'm not a complete idiot when it comes to PAT, its just that the TFE problems are driving me crazy. It takes so much time to picture it in my mind, and even then, i dont always get it right. Im pretty good with everything else, specifically key holes and hole punching..which I usually score my highest in.

 

[Vicviper]

I'm not a complete idiot when it comes to PAT, its just that the TFE problems are driving me crazy. It takes so much time to picture it in my mind, and even then, i dont always get it right. Im pretty good with everything else, specifically key holes and hole punching..which I usually score my highest in.

I really wouldn't stress it - you'll be just fine in the long run. Are you using the line counting trick for TFE? That's what really helped me.

 

[browncrack]

The DAT is supposed to correlate with NBDE I scores. There isn't a perceptual part on NBDE I. Everything you need to know can be learned and/or practiced in d-school and after graduation. IMO PAT is at best marginally useful in admissions selection but not useful for unything else. Although, I suppose it might prevent a bunch of pre-meds from taking the DAT.

 

[Andre3k]

I think you need the skills that the PAT tests for to certain extent. Like someone said above there are times when you wont be able to completely see the object you are working with or discussing so you would have to visualize it mentally. To be able to determine what cusps will occlude it helps to be able to paint a mental picture and visualize it. When you look at and xray you need to be able to visualize what you are looking at in relation to the way it really is in the mouth. I think you could do all those things without the skills that are the PAT. However, if you are skilled at the PAT and good at visualizing objects and the way they interact mentally then certain tasks will be easier for you.

 

[fenderstang]

yeah, I feel like it shows up sometimes, you may be working in lab and be like "Oh! thats why we had to do PAT" Aside from that it is all things you will learn in dental school, so don't stress about it

 

[fenderstang]

The other thing with preclinical lab, is there are going to be people who are good at everything right off the bat and seem to barely put any effort in and then there are the rest of us (normal people) who take time and eventually learn it. In the end, most everybody is going to be competent at lab work and clinical procedures, some people just pick it up faster. Predents seem to have the tendency (from what I have noticed) to already worry about dental school, you have enough to worry about just enjoy the time before dental school because once you start it will definitely humble you and it can be a real pain.