Training My Hands for Dental School: How Unique Hobbies Are Helping Me Prepare

By: Ishan Kapoor

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If you're like me and thinking about dental school in the future, one thing that doesn’t get talked about enough is how important hand coordination and finger control really are. Everyone focuses on science skills or academics, but not as many people mention how much you need to be good with your hands. You’re working in small, detailed spaces, and that kind of control takes time to build.

Right now I’m still in high school, but I’ve started to notice that some of the hobbies I already enjoy are actually helping me train my hands. I didn’t pick them up for that reason, but over time they’ve made a real difference. None of it feels like prep work, but I know it’s going to help me in the long run when I do get to dental school.

Here are some of the things I do that have helped me build that kind of control and coordination:

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1. Playing an Instrument

Any instrument that requires finger control and coordination can help build the kind of fine motor skills that are useful in dentistry. Whether it’s piano, violin, or even drumming, instruments train your hands to move independently and with precision. For me, that instrument has been the guitar. I’ve been playing for a few years now, and what started as just a way to relax and express myself has actually turned into something that’s helped me train my hands. The hard part about guitar is that you have to move your fingers in very specific ways, stretch them into uncomfortable positions at first, and stay relaxed while playing in rhythm. Over time, I noticed my fingers, especially my pinky and ring finger, getting stronger and more coordinated. Those are the same fingers I’ll need to control small tools one day. It’s cool knowing that something I enjoy doing for fun is also helping me prepare in a way that matters.

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2. Crocheting

I got into crocheting kind of randomly, but it’s one of the most helpful things I’ve done for hand coordination. When you crochet, you’re constantly using your fingers to control the hook, guide the yarn, and keep your stitches consistent. It takes patience, attention to detail, and a lot of small, controlled finger movements. At first, my hands would cramp up or my stitches would look messy. But after sticking with it, I noticed my fingers got a lot more flexible and accurate. It also helped me build stamina in my hands, since crocheting for a long time takes steady effort. It’s honestly calming, too, which is a bonus when school gets stressful.

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3. Drawing and Sketching

Drawing has always been something I’ve liked doing in my free time, especially when I need a break from studying. But more recently, I’ve started to notice how much it helps with fine motor skills. When I sketch, I’m often working with tiny details or trying to shade something just right. That kind of careful hand movement forces me to slow down and be precise. I’ve gotten better at keeping a light, steady grip, and learning how to control pressure based on what I’m drawing. That translates really well into handling dental tools, which also need to be held lightly but controlled carefully. I think drawing has also helped me build patience and focus, because one small mistake can mess up a drawing, and the same goes for working on a patient’s teeth someday.

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4. Building Models and Puzzles

I’ve always liked building stuff, whether it’s Legos, mini model kits, or even those 3D puzzles you find in bookstores. They’re fun, but they also make you use both hands together while focusing on how small pieces fit into a larger picture. It makes you think about space and movement, and it forces you to handle small parts without dropping or breaking them. This kind of hobby trains your spatial awareness and your coordination, which are both huge when it comes to doing precise work in a small space like the mouth. I’ve noticed that the more I do it, the better I get at using my fingers gently but firmly, which is something dentists have to be really good at.

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5. Baking and Decorating

I didn’t expect this to help my hand skills, but it really has. When I bake and decorate cookies or cakes, I use piping bags and other tools that require a steady grip and a light touch. If you squeeze too hard or your hands shake, you mess it up. Doing this regularly has helped me learn how to control pressure in my hands and how to move slowly and intentionally. It’s also helped me practice being calm and focused even when I’m trying to make something look just right. That kind of hand-eye coordination is the same kind you’ll need when you’re shaping a filling or placing a crown in dental school. Plus, people are always happy to be the taste-testers.

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I know I still have a long way to go before I get to dental school, but I like knowing that the hobbies I enjoy now are actually preparing me in small ways. It doesn’t feel like studying or training, but I can see how much better my hand coordination has gotten. If you’re also in high school and thinking about dentistry, I’d say look at the things you already love doing and see how they might be helping you too. You don’t need to be in a lab to start building these skills. You can start right at home, with your own hands!