The Importance of Manual Dexterity in Dentistry (Question to Dentists on here)

SharpshooterTom

Hi all,

I'm a student from up north who is currently (re)doing his a levels hoping to do Dentistry in either TCD or UCC (the two Irish Dental schools) next year. So I will be applying in a few months, requiring grades of at least 2A*'s and 2A's from my four a levels (giving me what will be 595 points equivalent on the leaving cert). Its really tough but I think I could do it.

However I was looking at some of the universities across the water in England (which I'm not applying to because the UK doesn't accept resitted a levels) and found this from the University of Manchester:

http://www.dentistry.manchester.ac.uk/undergraduate/bds/coursedetails/index.aspx?code=00398&pg=4

Manual dexterity: From their own experiences of dental treatment, and their observation of a dentist during work experience, applicants will be aware of the degree of manual dexterity required in their chosen profession.
The School needs to feel confident that applicants have some basic fine motor skills and a desire to enter a profession to which these skills are central. Applicants may have studied an art or craft at school, or pursued a hobby that requires considerable dexterity (eg playing a musical instrument).

Ok so I'm a prospective Dental student, but I've always worried that I can get all the grades I want, and work my ass off getting them, but that wont matter, I could still turn out to be a crap dentist because I can't use my hands very well. That is my big fear.

In one of our Biology classes we had an exercise whereby we had to dissect a lambs kidney, I became a bit of laughing stock as I made a mess of opening it up, so much so that the teacher joked "Well I wouldn't be signing you up to do heart surgery!" Sure it could have been a crap kidney, but it is worrying that I'm not very skillful at using my hands.

Although I'm 27, I don't cook much, or at all, but following this I'm looking to change that. In effect, I'm looking to improve my manual dexterity skills and take up hobbies that can accompany this.

So my question to any Dentist reading this, is what advice could you give me, that could help me improve my dexterity skills? What hobbies could I take up along side my studies that could help me work with my hands in small spaces etc?

Its a strange question, but I think its really important! Appreciate any help given!

res ipsa

Visit a dental school. queens? & see what's involved. You don't want to find out when you're 33 that it was all for nowt.
Its about 50 percent ppl skill s & 50 % technical skills IMO.

Saaron

Not sure if this is relevant or helpful but coming from a Dental Tech's point of view taking an art class could be very helpful. Something like drawing or sculpture that teaches you how to improve your hand-eye coordination, even jewellery making, life drawing, wood-working/model building and pottery classes could be useful as they'll help to train your eye.

Music lessons would likely be helpful as well, depending on the instrument.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

To be honest you can be taught the manual skills regardless of your aptitude. How difficult you find it and the level of virtuosity you reach may be an issue, but reaching the basic standard required is in most peoples grasp.

I always think being able to type, play computer games, or play a sport show some neuromuscular coordination. If you want a hobby that closest to dentistry try woodwork or metalwork.

Dentistry is a very specific job, unlike medicine where you can branch off into various very different areas after graduation. In dentistry your fixing teeth, yeah there are various specialities but they all involve fixing teeth with your hands. Like res ipsa says defo do some job experience to see if that's for you.

SharpshooterTom

Appreciate the responses guys.

I have done a weeks work experiance in a dental practice last year, enjoyed it very much, although I was only observing.

Since then I have had my heart set on Dentistry. I really do like the profession and decided this is the job I would like to do, if I'm lucky enough, for the rest of my life.

I'm 27 now, so I don't really have many chances to diddle about and re-pick a career. The CAO applications will be open from november onwards.

I might not be great using my hands, infact I could be crap, but I'm going to make myself good at it, or at least competant, and even if I have to work more hours than the average person to get it right, I will do.

So thats why I was enquiring about what hobbies to take up to improve my dexterity. Would cooking (to a reasonably high level) be an option? Its mostly about creativity, but its a hobby I would enjoy taking up.

Oral Surgeon

ThomasFlynn wrote: »

Appreciate the responses guys.

I have done a weeks work experiance in a dental practice last year, enjoyed it very much, although I was only observing.

Since then I have had my heart set on Dentistry. I really do like the profession and decided this is the job I would like to do, if I'm lucky enough, for the rest of my life.

I'm 27 now, so I don't really have many chances to diddle about and re-pick a career. The CAO applications will be open from november onwards.

I might not be great using my hands, infact I could be crap, but I'm going to make myself good at it, or at least competant, and even if I have to work more hours than the average person to get it right, I will do.

So thats why I was enquiring about what hobbies to take up to improve my dexterity. Would cooking (to a reasonably high level) be an option? Its mostly about creativity, but its a hobby I would enjoy taking up.

What route of entry are you hoping to get in with? CAO or mature student entry?? If just CAO, then there is no interview or proof of aptitude necessary, you seem motivated, you'll learn it in college... If you are going the interview route, then you could bluff it... I build model train carriages in my spare time.....

Don't waste time on that now, concentrate on getting the grades to get in....

If you have spare time however, woodwork is great, I worked in my dad's joinery shop part time for years... Working in a bank is great to practice counting all your money aswell..... if only.....:(

2_fri

I took up pottery on saturday mornings which was great to show and highlight manual dexterity. Even though I was never an arty person in school I found it great :-]

Esel

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

If you are going the interview route, then you could bluff it... I build model train carriages in my spare time.

Unless one of the interviewers is a model train buff and comes in with a technical question or two... :eek:

OP, something like woodcarving or whittling maybe?

Dianthus

OP, I would interpret "basic fine motor skills" as just that. You don't need to be able to play to Grade8 piano level or anything. Not to be glib, or undermine dentists' skills, but if you can use a pen with proficiency, you'll eventually master a dental hand piece also.
Unless you have a medical condition that would affect you adversely (eg: arthritis), there is no reason why, with practice& perseverance, you shouldn't reach the same skill level as your peers. As an undergrad, everyone starts out taking well over an hour to cut a cavity! After a few years, it takes less than 5minutes.
Also, most people will tell you that the work itself is manageable- it's dealing with the public that's far more challenging.
The hobby I would advise taking up is one you enjoy for it's own sake as opposed to a means to an end....dentistry can be stressful, & your hobby shouldn't be an extension of your work.
Just avoid skiing, & perhaps cycling in London!

ballsymchugh

you'll learn how to be delicate with instruments in first year when you're dissecting cadavers. mind you, given the state the cadavers we had were left in, it's a wonder any of us made it out.
the dexterity is straight forward enough. you'll learn it. keeping a good posture is the hard part!

bureau2009

ballsymchugh wrote: »

you'll learn how to be delicate with instruments in first year when you're dissecting cadavers. mind you, given the state the cadavers we had were left in, it's a wonder any of us made it out.
the dexterity is straight forward enough. you'll learn it. keeping a good posture is the hard part!

I know some people donate their body to medical science.

Do people ever donate their body/teeth to DENTAL science? If so, how does that work?

Oral Surgeon

bureau2009 wrote: »

I know some people donate their body to medical science.

Do people ever donate their body/teeth to DENTAL science? If so, how does that work?

Sometimes, I was collecting hundreds of intact wisdom teeth for a trinity phd researcher for DNA and stem cell research.... He needed to get them daily and freeze them asap before they degraded.....