Manual Dexterity and Self-Perceived Competence as Predictors of Performance in Dental Skills Assessments: A Cross-Sectional Study

This cross-sectional study of 114 third-year dental students at the University of Peradeniya found that manual dexterity, assessed through tests like the Purdue Pegboard Test, significantly predicts performance in dental skills assessments, such as Class II cavity preparation. However, self-perceived competence did not correlate with actual performance. The study also noted that female students generally performed better in manual dexterity tests, despite males reporting higher self-perceived skill levels. These findings suggest that enhancing manual dexterity is crucial for improving clinical skills in dental education, while self-perceived competence may not be a reliable indicator of actual performance. Further research is recommended to confirm these results across different student samples.