unable to hold a steady hand- dream killer ?

[prone2xl]

Hi - I am a non-traditional student in pre med and wondering how an unsteady hand may be problematic in surgery, etc. I know dentists are known for their hand skills and wanted to know if this would be a hard thing to overcome? just like a small tremor, nothing major.. if my hands are braced I'm totally fine.

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[Saddleshoes]

-My hand is unable to hold things steady like say a pitcher of water or a firearm with one hand for example.

I really don't have a answer to your question but I have an observation of note...

In my military life it was common knowledge that he dentists in the clinic/hospital were always the best pistol shots. Even better then the surgeons. It seems the dentists had the better hands.

 

[DrJeff]

Hi - I am a non-traditional student in pre dent and am taking the DAT shortly. The issue I worry about is my ability to hold a steady hand and will this be a dream killer in my quest to become a dentist ? My hand is unable to hold things steady like say a pitcher of water or a firearm with one hand for example. I worry that this is not good for wanting to become a dentist and if others have this problem too and become a DDS ?

I am ambidextrious and use both hands and it seems like both of them have that quiver like my pinky will shake alot if not held against my ring finger, etc. hard to explain but just wanted your advice. thanks!

Does you're hand quiver when you're say holding a pen/pencil?? If not, you're likely okay.

FYI, just about everyone the 1st time they pick up a syringe/handpiece(drill) has a shaking hand 😉😀

 

[omaralt]

Hi - I am a non-traditional student in pre dent and am taking the DAT shortly. The issue I worry about is my ability to hold a steady hand and will this be a dream killer in my quest to become a dentist ? My hand is unable to hold things steady like say a pitcher of water or a firearm with one hand for example. I worry that this is not good for wanting to become a dentist and if others have this problem too and become a DDS ?

I am ambidextrious and use both hands and it seems like both of them have that quiver like my pinky will shake alot if not held against my ring finger, etc. hard to explain but just wanted your advice. thanks!

nobody can tell you for sure unless we see how much your hand shakes (youtube video ). your going to be using finger rests in the mouth, but i would definitely be nervous as hell if my dentist came at me with a handpiece that was shaking like a leaf!

 

[FutureDent020]

Do you find your hands shaking throughout the day regardless of your condition? Or is it generally after coffee, caffeine, hangover, low-blood sugar, etc. Some people react differently to caffeine and malnourishment. It also depends on the severity of the shake. My uncle's hands shake a little bit, but he has run a successful practice for 40 years. If you really want to be a dentist and are concerned, see a neurologist or physician. He/ she could possibly prescribe you beta-blockers to reduce the tremor.

 

[browncrack]

stimulants such as adderall and caffeine can and do cause shaky hands. sometimes it is reversable and sometimes not.

 

[omaralt]

If you really want to be a dentist and are concerned, see a neurologist or physician. He/ she could possibly prescribe you beta-blockers to reduce the tremor.

Ya I wouldn't do that unless your sure it's a real medical problem and not just lack of sleep, caffiene, etc. If u go, even if it's nothing, you'll fine it very difficult to get disability insurance later on. I went to the doc during 2nd yr because my hand was hurting (too much note taking). Nothing was found. I now have a clause in my policy to not cover me for any problems with my right hand. Wish I knew about disability policies back then..

 

[FutureDent020]

Ya I wouldn't do that unless your sure it's a real medical problem and not just lack of sleep, caffiene, etc. If u go, even if it's nothing, you'll fine it very difficult to get disability insurance later on. I went to the doc during 2nd yr because my hand was hurting (too much note taking). Nothing was found. I now have a clause in my policy to not cover me for any problems with my right hand. Wish I knew about disability policies back then..

Good call. I didn't think about that.

 

[OceanDMD]

May hand is shaky for my first 3 or 4 patients until my 6 cups of coffee wear off. You learn to compensate.......

 

[DrReo]

Do you find your hands shaking throughout the day regardless of your condition? Or is it generally after coffee, caffeine, hangover, low-blood sugar, etc. Some people react differently to caffeine and malnourishment. It also depends on the severity of the shake. My uncle's hands shake a little bit, but he has run a successful practice for 40 years. If you really want to be a dentist and are concerned, see a neurologist or physician. He/ she could possibly prescribe you beta-blockers to reduce the tremor.

😱😱😱😱😱😱

 

[teeth63a]

I really don't have a answer to your question but I have an observation of note...

In my military life it was common knowledge that he dentists in the clinic/hospital were always the best pistol shots. Even better then the surgeons. It seems the dentists had the better hands.

I scored expert marksman first time with a firearm, first time on the range with the 9mm prior to my deployment 😉

I don't credit being a dentist with that so much, but I do credit Time Crisis and the Sony Playstation.

Everyone's hand shakes a little, being held out at rest. If it's total tardive dyskenesia, yeah it's game over, but in the process of doing dentistry, our hand is usually moving quite a bit, so super fine motor control such as a neural surgeon needs is not critical. I guess the only way to find out is go ask your dentist, show him the tremor and see what he says.

 

[aphistis]

😱😱😱😱😱😱

What? It's not the most conservative solution, but it's pretty widely recognized. Beta blockers are remarkably versatile drugs.

 

[FutureDent020]

😱😱😱😱😱😱

What? It's not the most conservative solution, but it's pretty widely recognized. Beta blockers are remarkably versatile drugs.

Agreed. It's definitely a last option, but I don't understand what's so ridiculous about it?

 

[AlcoHulk]

Agreed. It's definitely a last option, but I don't understand what's so ridiculous about it?

Beta blockers are usually used to treat cardiovascular conditions.

 

[mike3kgt]

I don't credit being a dentist with that so much, but I do credit Time Crisis and the Sony Playstation.

Who would have thought that so many logged hours on games such as this would be priming you for a career 🙂.

I love it when PTA moms get together and discuss "I won't let my little Johnny play video games, it rots his brains." My sister tells them, "Between the ages of 7 and 15, the only thing my little brother did was play video games... and now he's in dental school" hahahaha. Granted I did many other things besides games, I'd probably say the gross majority of my waking hours spent were in front of NES.

 

[lotexigeus]

I think it was asda's magazine that was sent out had an article about video games. It said that surgeons who played video games made fewer errors and could complete surgeries at a higher rate. I'll see if i can dig up the article online.

edit: found it
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4685909/

 

[FutureDent020]

Beta blockers are usually used to treat cardiovascular conditions.

True, but they are also used to reduce performance anxiety. Musicians have been known to use beta blockers during stage performances. In general, they reduce the fight or flight response. But I agree with everyone, beta blockers shouldn't be taken unless you have no other option. Doctors also warn of severe side effects. Which maybe what Dr. Reo was talking about.

 

[Decan]

shadow a dentist and ask if you can play around with the high speed. like others have said, you can't know for sure until you actually get in and do it.

 

[DrReo]

True, but they are also used to reduce performance anxiety. Musicians have been known to use beta blockers during stage performances. In general, they reduce the fight or flight response. But I agree with everyone, beta blockers shouldn't be taken unless you have no other option. Doctors also warn of severe side effects. Which maybe what Dr. Reo was talking about.

Imagine being on the beta blocker for your entire professional career. . .

 

[FutureDent020]

Imagine being on the beta blocker for your entire professional career. . .

Yea, you're right. Not worth it. Plenty of other good professions that don't require steady hands.

 

[browncrack]

Shaky hands are OK in orthodontics. Everything goes through the lab or an assistant. DDS plans and evaluates, no fine motor skills required.

 

[aphistis]

Shaky hands are OK in orthodontics. Everything goes through the lab or an assistant. DDS plans and evaluates, no fine motor skills required.

Except that you'll never make it into residency unless your brain AND hands are among the best in your class.

 

[THINKOFMYFUTURE]

I heard the top counterstrike player in the world is a dentist.

 

[teeth63a]

I think it was asda's magazine that was sent out had an article about video games. It said that surgeons who played video games made fewer errors and could complete surgeries at a higher rate. I'll see if i can dig up the article online.

edit: found it
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4685909/

good link! this definitely certifies my awesomeness.

 

[TarheelDDS]

I heard the top counterstrike player in the world is a dentist.

I believe it 😀.

 

[browncrack]

Except that you'll never make it into residency unless your brain AND hands are among the best in your class.

Details. Patience. There is always a long route to the same destination. Residency, private office, and then the ortho residency. Still need to respectably well academically.

 

[aphistis]

I heard the top counterstrike player in the world is a dentist.

You bet I am. 😉

 

[FutureCTDoc]

Who would have thought that so many logged hours on games such as this would be priming you for a career 🙂.

I love it when PTA moms get together and discuss "I won't let my little Johnny play video games, it rots his brains." My sister tells them, "Between the ages of 7 and 15, the only thing my little brother did was play video games... and now he's in dental school" hahahaha. Granted I did many other things besides games, I'd probably say the gross majority of my waking hours spent were in front of NES.

Imagine being on the beta blocker for your entire professional career. . .

Many people will wind up on Beta-Blockers for essential hypertension though. A lot of surgeons I know use them before cases. Also who knows how pronounced the tremor is. It could range from very fine to a gross, resting tremor.

 

[FutureDent020]

I think it was asda's magazine that was sent out had an article about video games. It said that surgeons who played video games made fewer errors and could complete surgeries at a higher rate. I'll see if i can dig up the article online.

edit: found it
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4685909/

At my UNC interview they had us fill out an anonymous survey inquiring about how many hours of video games we play each week.... I wonder if they are doing their own research on the topic

 

[teeth63a]

At my UNC interview they had us fill out an anonymous survey inquiring about how many hours of video games we play each week.... I wonder if they are doing their own research on the topic

They were probably testing to see how big a Modern Warfare 2 tournament they could host.

 

[angelnyc89]

They were probably testing to see how big a Modern Warfare 2 tournament they could host.

lmao they better invite me! But I do believe that playing video games help with manual dexterity. 😎