Depth and Distance Perception of Dentists and Dental Students

Abstract

SUMMARYThe quality of work carried out by dentists is dependent, among other things, on experience, training, and manual dexterity. Historical focus on the latter as a predictor of dental performance has failed to recognize that dental competence also requires good perceptual and visual skills, not only for gathering information but also for judging positions, distances, and the size of objects and shapes. Most predictive tests ignore visual and interpretative deficiencies that could make individual acquisition of skills and interpretation of instructions difficult. Ability to estimate depth and distance, the manner in which students learn this ability, whether and how it can be taught, or whether there is an association among ability, stereopsis, and dental performance has not been thoroughly examined; nor has the perception that dental students fully understand verbal and written instruction relating to depth and distance. This study investigated the ability of dentists and dental students to estimate and reproduce small depths and distances and the relationship of this ability to stereopsis, dental experience, and student performance. A total of 163 undergraduate dental students from three year groups and 20 experienced dentists and specialists performed three tasks. A depth-perception task involved estimation of the depth of two sets (2-mm or 4-mm wide) of nine computer milled slots ranging in depth from 0.5 to 4.0 mm. A distance task involved estimation of the width of specially prepared printed square blocks. In a writing task, participants recorded distances across a printed line on separate sheets of paper. All tasks were conducted at set positions in custom-made transportable light boxes. Stereopsis and visual acuity were also measured. Ability to perform perceptual tasks varied enormously, with the level of accuracy dependent on the type of task and dental experience. Many students had considerable difficulty in estimating depth. Inexperienced students performed poorly. Most participants overestimated depth and distance estimation tasks, but underestimated when required to draw distances. Smaller depths and distances were easier to estimate than larger ones. All groups overestimated depth more in 4-mm-wide blocks than in 2-mm-wide blocks. There was no correlation found between depth and distance estimation and stereopsis scores or with the overall grades tested. This study highlights that some dentists and many dental students, particularly early in their course, have great difficulty in accurately gauging depths and distances. It is proposed that that this could impact significantly on a student's ability to interpret verbal and written preclinical instruction and could make the acquisition of manual skills and interpretation of clinical instruction difficult. Routine testing of all undergraduate dental students for perceptual and visual difficulties is recommended, so that those with difficulties can be identified and problems remedied, if possible, early in their course.

The impact of CBCT imaging when placing dental implants in the anterior edentulous mandible: a before–after study

“…Some, therefore, may be regarded as "responders" and others as "non-responders" to the availability of CBCT. Furthermore, in a 2011 study, Dimitrijevic et al 38 investigated the depth and distance perception of dentists and dental students and commented that "ability to perform perceptual tasks varied enormously". They conclude that "Some dentists … have great difficulty in accurately gauging depths and distances".…”

Drilling into the functional significance of stereopsis: the impact of stereoscopic information on surgical performance

“…Good depth perception appears to be particularly important because it enables the dentist to judge precisely the position of handheld objects, estimate relative distances and gauge correct sizes during dental performance. 18 Moreover, good depth perception, intuitively at least, is an important asset in: the clinical diagnosis of dental caries, the estimation of correct convergence in crown preparation, oral radiography interpretation and in controlling various cavity preparations. [19][20][21][22] The intuition that stereopsis might be important in dentistry is reflected in the design of dental surgical simulators which provide realistic haptic feedback and 3D rendered images for the purpose of training.…”

Customized occlusal reduction guide made from a thermoplastic sheet

“…Even though resources are available for measuring the depths and distances of tooth preparations, a keen visual perception of measurements can benefit a dentist or dental student. 1,7 The purpose of this article was to demonstrate a method of fabricating a customized occlusal reduction (COR) guide to help clinicians achieve accurate tooth preparations.…”

“…In several studies it has been shown that dental students and dentists underestimate and undersize linear measurements. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Clinically, this results in excessive extensions of tooth preparations that can compromise restorations. Even though resources are available for measuring the depths and distances of tooth preparations, a keen visual perception of measurements can benefit a dentist or dental student.…”