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Improving dental students' dexterity and strength: an intervention study
María Pérez-Chicharro1, María José González-Olmo2, Carolina Nieto-Moraleda1
1Department of Nursing and Dentistry, Rey Juan Carlos University https://ror.org/01v5cv687, Alcorcón, Spain.
Introduction:
Dental students require manual dexterity, strength, and sensitivity to execute clinical procedures accurately. However, these skills are often not assessed during the university admission process, despite their relevance for academic and professional performance. The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether a specific home training program improves manual dexterity, strength, and tactile sensitivity in first-year dental students. METHODS: A pre-post intervention study without a control group was carried out with 42 first-year dental students from a Spanish university. Participants followed a home-based programme guided by occupational therapists for eight weeks. Manual dexterity (Nine Hole Peg Test and Box and Block Test), grip strength (dynamometry with JAMAR), and tactile sensitivity (two-point discrimination test) were assessed before and after the intervention. Non-parametric statistical tests were applied, and effect sizes were calculated.
Results:
Statistically significant improvements in tactile sensitivity (r >.29, p < .01) and manual dexterity (r >.26, p < .05) in both hands were observed after the intervention. In contrast, grip strength decreased significantly (r >0.35; p < .01). Negative associations were identified between increased sensitivity in the ring and little fingers and reduced strength in both hands. Correlations were also found between improved dexterity and decreased sensitivity in certain fingers of the non-dominant hand. About sex, women showed a greater improvement in sensitivity, although without reaching statistical significance.
Conclusions:
A structured home programme significantly improves manual dexterity and sensitivity in dental students, even without expensive equipment, demonstrating that these skills can be effectively trained. However, the decrease in grip strength suggests the desirability of incorporating strengthening exercises in future programmes. It is recommended to include control groups and expand the sample size to confirm these findings and optimise preclinical interventions.
