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344 Musawi et al. | Journal of Clinical and Translational Research 2024; 10(6): 343-347
and science grade point averages of applicants and their Since tools that predict dental students’ hand skills and
dental admission test scores [1]. However, these factors have performance have the potential to advance both dental
been found to have limited predictive value for academic education and clinical practice, studies are necessary to identify
performance in dental school [2]. Thus, when dental schools these tools. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to
are considering applicants for admission, the American Dental assess the correlation between student BOT-2 scores and cavity
Education Association recommends the use of non-cognitive preparation performance on LAP II layered base plate blocks.
methods alongside traditional cognitive measures [3]. Dental We hypothesized that the correlation between BOT-2 and LAP
schools assess students’ hand skills through a series of regularly II scores would serve as a non-cognitive indicator of innate
administered practical exams that increase in difficulty each hand skills, helping dental schools make more efficient student
semester of the program to ensure students’ clinical readiness admission decisions. There is no information on any dental
for patient procedures. school utilizing the BOT-2 test for dental school students or its
Several studies have attempted to identify a screening tool validity in the discussed context.
that can precisely predict the future performance of students in
preclinical practical courses [4,5]. However, there is no consensus 2. Methods
on the best predictive test of manual dexterity [6]. In a previous The current study was reviewed by the local institutional
study [7], the Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, review board and considered exempt. Only 1 -year dental
st
Second Edition (BOT-2) was used as a screening tool to assess students from a single class were eligible for participation, and
the manual dexterity of prospective and preclinical dental all participants signed an approved informed consent form before
students. The study [7] employed this test because it is a norm- the study. Demographic information about the gender and age of
referenced, standardized tool that assesses motor performance. students was collected. Participation was voluntary/mandatory,
More specifically, it measures fine manual control, manual and student performance in the study did not affect course grades.
coordination, body coordination, strength, and agility [8-10]. All students in the class were included in the study; inclusion
However, results of the study [7] suggested BOT-2 was not criteria were simply being part of the cohort of the dental
completely predictive of the manual skills of prospective or students that was enrolled that year. There were no exclusion
preclinical dental students. Further, a stated limitation was the criteria set for this study. Students can only be excluded if they
comparison of results between different classes of students [7]. choose not to participate and do not consent to their scores being
Therefore, additional research is necessary to assess the validity used in the study.
of the BOT-2 tool for predicting the preclinical performance of To assess the manual dexterity of dental students, we used
dental students in a single cohort of participants, such as 1 - BOT-2 as it is the most precise and comprehensive measure
st
year students. More research is also necessary to identify and of motor skills (both gross and fine). BOT-2 is an easy-to-
validate standardized, non-cognitive instruments that predict administer test and contains subtests and challenging game-
dental student performance during admissions. like tasks. We included three of the BOT-2 subtests in the
In addition to identifying screening tools that assess the manual current study: fine motor precision (seven tasks), fine motor
dexterity of dental students, tools are also needed to develop their integration (eight tasks), and manual dexterity (five tasks); each
hand skills. A variety of lead-up activities have been developed to administered to 1 -year dental students (D1 class 2017 and D1
st
assist in the early development of psychomotor skills for operative class 2018 [n = 42]). Scores for tasks within each subtest were
dentistry [11]. For instance, the Learn-A-Prep II (LAP II) was added to obtain a total score for each subtest, and those scores
developed as a training aid for use during the initial instructional were also compared. An experienced faculty member, calibrated
levels of dental education. This tool uses layered base plate in administering and scoring BOT-2, conducted the tests.
blocks of different colors and material hardness to mimic enamel, To evaluate the hand skills of dental students, LAP II layered
dentin, and pulp tissue. The overall goal of the design of these base plate blocks (Whip Mix Corporation, USA) were used as
blocks is to foster student understanding of movement through a cavity preparation project (Figure 1). For this test, students
vertical and horizontal spaces as they develop the ability to create used the LAP II to prepare a cavity representing class I on the
precise 3D preparations. To the best of our knowledge, few lower molar tooth on the LAP II block. The preparation criteria
studies have investigated the potential benefit of using the LAP included following the outline provided, with 2-mm depth,
II as a predictive tool of student performance during the dental straight smooth walls, and a flat smooth floor. Students were
admission process [12,13]. Further, based on our experience, instructed to prepare the various shapes up to, but not into or
a high percentage of students drop out of dental school due to beyond, the pattern outline, while maintaining a constant depth
failure to achieve competency in the practical exams required throughout the artificial enamel without penetrating the dentin.
for progression through the program. Therefore, having tools The outlined shape used for this test was chosen because it
that could identify students with poor hand skills before they are resembled an operative dentistry class I preparation. Before the
admitted to dental school would be beneficial. Such knowledge task, students were introduced to LAP II and received the same
could save students’ time and money, while reducing monetary instructions from a single faculty member about using a dental
losses dental schools face due to dropouts. Ultimately, better handpiece. Specifically, students were taught how to hold a
predictive tools would improve the quality of oral care services handpiece and use the simulation unit. Next, verbal instructions
provided by dental school students and graduates [14]. and a live demonstration were provided to teach students the

DOI: http://doi.org/10.36922/jctr.24.00009