Comparison of hand structure and function in early and late term dental students.

BACKGROUND

The ability of dentists to perform complex surgical procedures and minimize tissue damage during treatment requires a certain level of dexterity, hand grip strength, and upper extremity motor coordination.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the vocational training process on the structural and functional status of the hand in dentistry students.

METHODS

The study was carried out on Term 1 (n = 36) and Term 5 (n = 34) dentistry students. The anthropometric measurements of the hands and wrists of the participants were measured by a Martin-type anthropometer. The normal joint range of motion of the wrist and elbow joints was measured by a universal goniometer. Finger and hand grip strengths were measured by a Jamar hand dynamometer and pinchmeter, and hand dexterity was evaluated by the Jebsen Hand Function Test.

RESULTS

Wrist flexion and extension normal joint ranges of motion, hand width and wrist width measurements, hand and finger grip strengths, and hand function test results showed differences between dominant and non-dominant extremities in Term 1 and Term 5 dentistry students. At the same time, wrist extension and forearm supination normal joint range of motion were found to be significantly different between the Term 1 and Term 5 students.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that the wrist extension and forearm supination flexibility measurements of the students changed with the education process, while hand functionality did not change.