How To Start Preparing For Your Bench Test!

One of the most crucial steps in securing admission to an advanced standing program to complete DDS/DMD for international dentists is the hand skills test or the bench test. The bench test is the practical examination that international dentists participate in once they secure an interview invitation from various schools that have the 2/3 year doctorate in dentistry (DDS) program. The bench test is a critical skills evaluation to evaluate the candidates’ practical and clinical knowledge. The admission committee usually post or before the interviews with candidates conduct this hand skills test and assess the various tooth preparation exercises done by the candidates before offering a final acceptance to the international program at their school. Here you can get some tips on “How to start preparing for your bench test!“

Bench Test Preparation

– KNOW THE KIND OF TYPODONT USED IN EXAM

One of the first steps required to start preparing for your bench test is to know the kind of typodont you would need to give the test on. Each dental school gives specific instructions on the exercises to be done, the specific model of typodont, time given for the same, etc. Usually, there are 3 types of Typodonts used in clinical skills tests: Acadentalal, Columbia, or Kilgore typodont. The teeth of these typodonts all vary according to the specific typodont model, hence practicing on the one which will be used in the bench test is crucial. Furthermore, the anatomy of teeth, the contact location between adjacent teeth, the material the teeth are made up of all differ according to the make and company the typodont belongs to. Hence, it is of vital importance to inquire which school commonly uses which kind of typodont in examination and then accordingly use the same typodont for practice so that we can get totally familiar with it.

– ORDER REQUIRED BENCH TEST MATERIAL

To start preparation for your bench test the first thing candidates will be required to do is to order the necessary equipment and armamentarium needed or commonly called a dental bench test kit. The list of tools required is long ranging from an air compressor, dental turbine unit, high-speed handpiece, a turbine to compressor connector, extra teeth for preparation, typodont mounting pole, dental instruments like mouth mirror, explorer, probe, hatchet, marginal trimmers, amalgamators, various burs, etc. This list might sound overwhelming to international dentists who are just starting with their bench test practice but are all essential to score well in the hand skills test. Everything listed above is easily available online as well as in stores and can be ordered and home delivered within a few days.

Step by step Guide to becoming a Dentist in the US

– SETTING UP A HOME BENCH PREPARATION SETUP

The next thing to be done after candidates purchase all the necessary equipment is to set up their home bench test preparation. Daily practice is the only way to go ahead and ace this very crucial step in the journey of getting an acceptance to an advanced standing program. The method to set up the air compressor, mounting pole, turbine unit, etc., is explained very well in various online videos that demonstrate how exactly it should be done.

– PURCHASE LOUPES

Several candidates prefer to use some sort of magnification ranging from 2.2 to 3.5 for their practical hands’ skills test. Not only do loupes provide clarity and magnification, but the additional light helps with illumination, which can be critical in doing a perfect preparation. There are a variety of loupes present in the market with a wide range of costs, magnification, etc., which the candidate can choose according to their own comfort. Some international dentists who are not familiar with the use of loupes might opt not to use them in their bench examination, which is perfectly acceptable too. Loupes should be used or not used according to each candidate’s personal comfort level. Here is the list of best dental loupes for bench test preparation.

– ENROLL IN A BENCH TEST COURSE

Some candidates, especially those who are not very confident with their handwork, might want to enroll in the various courses available in person and online to enhance their clinical knowledge and skills further. There are various courses that span from a couple of days to longer duration, for example, 10-14 days, which can be used to better one’s craft. This is a step that totally depends on the candidates and their practical knowledge and skills. Given the current scenario, there are online courses available too, like the International Dentist Central (IDC) online bench test, which can be undertaken from the comfort of your home. This course helped me immensely in my journey towards getting an acceptance to DDS in an international dentist program as it helped enhance my clinical skills. The special feature of getting my tooth preparations critically analyzed by Dr. Alyssa Marshall especially helped me focus on where I was lacking and going wrong with my Cavity preparations and Crown Cuttings and helped me to better my craft.

– WATCH VIDEOS ONLINE

Another way to enhance your skills and gain some knowledge on how to go about with teeth preparation is by watching online videos on preparing for your bench test. Several videos are available online, which can give a basic idea about the correct dimensions expected in bench tests, the method to go about preparing the tooth, etc.

– TIME YOURSELF WHILE PRACTICING TEETH PREPARATION

It is of vital importance to time yourself even during practice sessions at home while preparing teeth. Every school offers limited time for the exercises given in the examination, and time is usually the essence because many candidates cannot finish in the given time frame. Therefore, practicing from the start with a healthy time limit will ensure that the candidates can do the same on the final test day as well. A timer will come in handy for this purpose and should be definitely used for each tooth preparation while practicing too.

– PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Once you have mastered the practical knowledge on the requirements expected from candidates for the bench test, the next step is to master your skills by practicing daily.

Only by self-practice can candidates improve each time and be ready for the competitive nature of bench tests. The environment of the bench examination can be very challenging, with all the candidates putting their best foot forward for the few international seats each school offers. Hence, practicing different preparations from the start instead of being frantic and regretting not getting enough practice at the last moment is advisable. Being focused and not waiting until the last moment or when invites are received for bench preparation is very important for successful acceptance into a DDS/DMD program.

– GET CRITICAL EVALUATION FROM DENTIST FRIENDS / MENTORS

Candidates can learn from their preparations better if they can get their work evaluated by a dentist or mentor who can guide them about where they are lacking or going wrong with their practical skills. Working on typodont teeth will not help if we do not calmly and collectively see where our errors lie and lack of preparation. It is very important to reach out to friends, seniors, and mentors and get their advice on every preparation whenever possible so that candidates can improve on their work and aim for acceptance to a dental college. Hand skills are considered an important factor in securing an admission, and hence, we should not wait until the last moment or for an invite to appear to start practicing. Time is of the essence and should be used wisely and prudently. Each invitation is a big chance to get admitted to the life of our dreams, so candidates should cherish each invite and work to the best of their ability to do their best in all steps along the way, from interview preparation to bench test preparation.

Related Articles: