How to Answer: Do you feel that your manual dexterity skills are suitable for a career in dentistry?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Dental School job interview.
20. Do you feel that your manual dexterity skills are suitable for a career in dentistry?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
One skill that is vital to the success of any dentist that is very hard for your interviewers to measure during the interview process is manual dexterity. Dentistry involves precise movements and coordination in a very small workspace inside a person's mouth. Since your interviewers can't assess this during the interview process, they may ask a question like this to hear you talk about your dexterity skills and that you understand they are important for a future dentist.
Written by Ryan Brunner on August 23rd, 2022
How to Answer
During your Dental Admission Test, your manual dexterity was likely tested. Your interviewers want to hear how you are fine-tuning your motor skills. You can talk about drawing, painting, carving, knitting, or learning a musical instrument that requires hand-eye coordination. The list of things you can talk about is endless, so talk about the importance of keeping these skills throughout your career as a dentist as your answer.
Written by Ryan Brunner on August 23rd, 2022
Answer Example
"I feel blessed to have been born with great manual dexterity skills, and I'm confident in my ability to work with precision inside of a patient's mouth. Over the last five years, I've continued to hone my skills in this area by taking up sketching and knitting. Knowing that dentistry was my passion and my future, I knew that developing these skills and keeping them sharp would be very important to my success."
Written by Ryan Brunner on August 23rd, 2022