Dentists must have a high level of manual dexterity so that they can handle small and delicate instruments, manipulate dental materials and perform intricate procedures in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. Dentists who lack manual dexterity may struggle to carry out certain procedures or may take longer to complete them, which can lead to patient discomfort and longer treatment times. If you are planning to pursue a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) course, here are some useful insights on manual dexterity, that you will find useful:
- Precision: Precision is a key skill in dentistry. Because many dental procedures require a high level of accuracy, dentists must be precise in their work. To avoid damaging healthy tissue and ensure that restorations fit properly, they need to make sure things are done right the first time around. Dentists with good manual dexterity are able to use their hands and fingers with precision for different procedures such as filling cavities, placing crowns or bridges on teeth and performing root canals.
- Safety: With good manual dexterity, dentists can ensure safety while performing surgery and aftercare. Poor manual dexterity can result in mistakes and accidents. This puts the patients at risk. For instance, lack of manual dexterity can cause incorrect suturing which can make the experience painful for the patients and can even cause longer healing time. Good manual dexterity lets dentists perform highly-skilled procedures with confidence and precision, which reduces the risk of making an error.
- Efficiency: Dentists who have good manual dexterity are able to perform procedures quickly and efficiently, thus reducing the time patients spend on chairs. This results in better patient care and comfort, increasing the rate of patient satisfaction. Additionally, it also increases productivity in dental practice.
- Patient comfort: Manual dexterity ensures that dentists perform the dental procedures in a way that improves patient comfort considerably. It leads to smooth and comfortable procedures that consume less time. As a result, it reduces patient anxiety and discomfort from sitting on the chair for longer periods of time.
In order to develop and maintain manual dexterity, keep these factors in mind:
- Practice: Good manual dexterity requires constant practice. Dentists, like many other skilled professionals, must regularly refine and perfect their skills in order to excel at what they do.
- Tools and technique: Dentists should use good and modern tools and equipment for dental procedures. It enhances precision and reduces strain on wrists and arms. Similarly, the technique is equally important in order to achieve short and accurate cuts and sutures to get better outcomes.
- Keep learning: In order to keep their skills updated and learn new techniques, continued education is important for dentists.
Are you looking for good BDS colleges in Gujarat? Check the BDS course offered by Karnavati School of Dentistry. Our BDS course is a 5 year undergraduate course that helps students pursue a successful dental career. We constantly innovate and improve our curriculum to ensure that it remains relevant. To know about our BDS admission procedure, get in touch with us.