Being a Dentist we are bit different from other health professionals.We treat our patients by working actively inside their mouth and we have to develop superior manual dexterity to achieve best results.
Consider average mouth opening of a person,it is not more then four fingers wide and what about the visibility and accessibility of our operating field? It’s weird!
We work in a field in which people struggle to put a ‘Burger’ and we are expected to do miracle and yes we are doing miracles.
We perform detailed, meticulous procedures on a minute scale and margin of errors are in micro fractions, our instruments are sharp and invasive, loss of concentration will result in damage to vital tissue which is unacceptable.
Consider average mouth opening of a person,it is not more then four fingers wide and what about the visibility and accessibility of our operating field? It’s weird!
We work in a field in which people struggle to put a ‘Burger’ and we are expected to do miracle and yes we are doing miracles.
We perform detailed, meticulous procedures on a minute scale and margin of errors are in micro fractions, our instruments are sharp and invasive, loss of concentration will result in damage to vital tissue which is unacceptable.
I think its enough of self praising!
So what is this so called Good practical hand ?
So what is this so called Good practical hand ?
 |
| Use of fingers involve fine motor skills |
Clinical dexterity or abilities to perform task with hands develop over time,starting with primitive gestures such as grabbing at objects to more precise activities that involve precise eye–hand coordination.Improving your clinical dexterity involves practice of same procedure multiple time in controlled way, In this way small muscles of your hand will be conditioned for the procedure. This is called as developing Fine motor skills and these are the skills that involve a refined use of the small muscles which control the hand, fingers, and thumb. The development of these skills allows one to be able to complete tasks such as writing, drawing, buttoning and finally doing dental procedures.
How motor skills are developed?
You must know that there are two types of motor skill.
Gross motor skills include lifting one's head,turning,moving head etc.Generally large muscles develop before smaller ones, thus, gross motor development is the foundation for developing skills.
Fine motor skills include the ability to manipulate small objects,and various eye–hand coordination tasks. Some examples of fine motor skills are using the pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) to pick up small objects,like holding endodontic files.
Two Essential Things that affects your motor skill:
1.Hand-eye coordination:
One more important factor for a dentist is good hand-eye coordination. Hand–eye coordination is the coordinated control of eye movement with hand movement, and the processing of visual input to guide reaching and grasping along with the use of proprioception of the hands to guide the eyes.
2.Correct Positioning :
Positioning is very important for engagement in fine motor tasks. A dentists seat should allow him to sit comfortably with his feet placed firmly on the floor. His hips, knees, and ankles should be at 90 degree angles, with his torso slightly forward. His operating field should be approximately at the level of his elbows when his arms are at rest at his side.Keep in mind that trunk stability is necessary for good mobility of the arms, hands, and fingers.
Interesting Fact: Ambidexterity is a specialized skill in which right and left both hands are equally dexterous and dentist can use any one of his hands as dominant one while working.
How can you build your skill by the time you proceed in your dental school :
1.Start with simple manipulation of dental materials: how to hold spatula and bowl. What is the correct technique of mixing? Don’t dare to underestimate it. it will build foundation of your dexterity as well as your confidence and in bonus you will learn about properties of dental materials. If a dentist cant manipulate plaster or alginate it’s hopeless.
2.Wax block carving: Enjoy your carvings. Carve the anatomy of ALL teeth not for completing quota but for fun. Never ask anybody to carve for you. Dedicate as much time as you can in understanding and reproducing the anatomy of tooth. Not only teeth but you can do your imaginary carvings .Get an idea from your surroundings try to carve it on wax block and if you make something good don’t keep it to yourself Show it to your classmates, teachers and seniors get appreciated, this is the secret of building positive attitude, every time you get appreciated your confidence is improved your hand is improved.
3.Making miniature models/ sculptures: out of dental materials like plaster and modeling wax is one of the favorite things I did in my college time. I used to make something out of any dental material which can be manipulated. Fortunately I got Best crafts award in “Colors 2009” annual function. Try doing!! its real fun. Beside it will improve your dexterity and confidence.
4.Preclinical Work: Take your preclinical very seriously. This is the step before handling real patients. This is to prepare and train you for your clinical work. If you try to skip it or take it lightly. You are going to do blunders in your patient’s mouth. Become through with the basic theories try to do work as ideal as possible. Complete your quotas and work hard to do so.
5.Clinical Work: A sound practical knowledge is necessary for doing clinical work it’s the humans on which we are working on. we have to read lots of literature to understand and build good practical knowledge. It’s important to note that I am not asking you to mug-up the theories, I am asking you to understand it, analyses it and be able to Execute it when needed.While working on patients be calm and controlled try to execute the ideal work style ( I know it not 100% possible but try to be close to it) if you know you will have particular patient in particular days ex- extractions in oral surgery posting then do your preparations. Find books on local anesthesia read the technique for blocks arrange a skull and mandible find some one good in that to demonstrate you the landmarks and technique. Try making mental map and imagine it in patients. Believe me if you are prepared you will be less anxious and more confident. Try to apply this in every department, if you know you have to treat patients be prepared for it. Never go empty head you will not get anything accept your frustration and scolding from your teachers.
Pattern of learning for Dentists- [ The Read, See and Do] formula
READ- your text before any Demonstration, don’t go blank for any demonstration.
SEE – Observe carefully with full concentration what your Teacher or Guide is demonstrating. Humans have amazing photographic memory use it.
DO- Try to execute it as soon as possible our memory is very volatile try not to rely on it. Doing soon means you retain most of the part of demonstration.
So now we know how it works and how it can be developed. First and foremost thing is your interest in dentistry. The person aspiring to become dentist should be self motivated and ready to accept this challenging field. This field require long period of Training, Patience, Hard work, Endurance and Dedications. (It’s important to note I have not written the word intelligence because I don’t think it’s need in starting because you will develop it by time if you have above mentioned qualities).
Its not important where you start its important where you end.