Abstract
Background: Hand skills are a crucial competency for practicing dentistry. However, assessing
candidates’ skill levels during dental school admissions in the United States is not a standard
criterion due to the absence of accurate tools. Consequently, some students struggle to develop
these skills, leading to dropouts, financial losses (i.e., tuition and living expenses), and an increased
burden on the faculty to support struggling students.
Aim: This study aims to assess the correlation between student scores on the Bruininks–Oseretsky
Test of Motor Proficiency 2 (BOT-2) and cavity preparation performance on Learn-A-Prep II
(LAP II) layered base plate blocks.
Methods: First-year dental students completed the BOT-2. A total score and subtest scores,
evaluating fine motor precision (seven tasks), fine motor integration (eight tasks), and manual
dexterity (five tasks), were calculated. Students were also given basic handpiece training and visual
and verbal project criteria for using the LAP II. They were then instructed to independently prepare
LAP II patterns within the pattern lines at a specified depth. Scores for the BOT-2 were compared
with LAP II performance (excellent, moderate, or poor).
Results: Forty-two students participated in the study. A general linear model (a combination of both
regression and analysis of variance tests) was used to compare outcomes between students with
excellent and poor performance. A strong correlation was found between the BOT-2 total scores
and LAP II performance (P = 0.04). No correlation was found when comparing the performance
of moderate students with that of excellent and poor students. The manual dexterity BOT-2 scores
were correlated with LAP II performance (P = 0.01), but fine motor precision and fine motor
integration BOT-2 scores were not (both P > 0.12).
Conclusion: Results of the current study suggested that scores for the BOT-2 manual dexterity
subtest reliably identified dental students with either excellent or poor hand skills. Dental educators
should consider using the BOT-2 as a predictive tool to identify the innate hand skills of students.
Relevance for Patients: Identifying candidates with strong hand skills during dental school
admissions enables schools to select students better equipped to excel in clinical training and
enhance the quality of patient care provided.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.36922/jctr.24.00009
Author affiliation
1Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health, A.T. Still University, Kirksville, Missouri, United States of America
2Private Practice, Dental
Implants of Ocala, Florida, United States of America
3Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee,
United States of America
4MaineHealth Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine, United States of America
5Department of Dental Operations,
Healthcare Network, Naples, Florida, United States of America
6Department of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry,
University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States of America
*Corresponding author:
Ammar Musawi
Missouri
School of Dentistry and Oral Health,
A.T. Still University, Kirksville, Missouri,
United States of America
Email: amusawi@atsu.edu
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