Dentistry is a challenging career path that combines both science and art! It involves mastering a variety of skills, including manual dexterity. As a pre-dental student, understanding the importance of this skill and developing it before entering dental school will help you significantly when you begin performing procedures!
What is manual dexterity?
Manual dexterity is the ability to use your hands in a skillful, coordinated way to grasp and manipulate objects and demonstrate small, precise movements (ADEA).
Why should I develop my manual dexterity skills?
In order to treat a patient, a dentist must be able to use eye-hand coordination to work on an extremely small scale. Practicing this skill before applying for dental school will help you decide whether you truly want to pursue the profession or not. It will help you become more comfortable with using different tools. The DAT actually tests this specific skill on the PAT section, where you’ll be tested on your spatial visualization skills, including your ability to interpret two-dimensional (2D) representations of three-dimensional (3D) objects. You may also be asked during your dental school interviews about how you’ve developed your skills during college.
What activities can I do to practice my manual dexterity skills?
* Drawing and painting
* Cooking
* Jewelry making
* Playing a musical instrument
* Carving and sculpting, woodcarving, soap carving
* Woodworking and furniture making
* Pottery and ceramics
* Sewing/needlepoint, cross-stitching, crocheting and knitting
* Boating and fishing - learning to tie boat knots and fishing knots
* Even playing video games!
What if my hands are too shaky?
Shaky hands can make it difficult to work on a small scale. One way to increase control is to modify your grasp around different tools! Finding the most comfortable grasp around a tool can help stabilize your hand and make your movements more precise. For example, if you enjoy drawing, you can experiment with various positions of the pencil in your hand, then practice making straight lines. Continuous practice can make your hands less shaky over time!
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